Maroc - VERACITY.COM.NG - A La Une - Hier 19:01

Atiku hails Nigerians’ resilience, faults APC over hardship

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday saluted the resilience of Nigerians, describing them as a people who have shown rare courage and patience in the face of biting hardship and insecurity.In his Independence Day message, issued through his media office, Atiku lamented that citizens are groaning under worsening economic conditions, mass unemployment, food scarcity and insecurity, which he blamed on the insensitivity of the APC-led government.“It is tragic,” Atiku declared, “that in a country blessed with immense human and material resources, millions of our people have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland. Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme. But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring.”The PDP presidential candidate in last year’s election urged Nigerians not to lose hope, stressing that the 2027 general elections offer a chance to change the course of the nation.“The beauty of democracy lies in the power of the ballot. Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people.”Reflecting on Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Atiku said the country has remained a “giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay,” which he attributed to years of failed leadership and wasteful governance. He however expressed optimism that with the right leadership, Nigeria could still rise and reclaim its rightful place among the comity of nations.He wished Nigerians a happy 65th Independence Day celebration.