Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says freedom of association and expression are core democratic rights, not privileges.
Atiku stated this in response to the recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He said this in a statement on X on Friday, following the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and other members of the party in the state to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
“Let me be unequivocal: freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights.
“Alongside these stand the pillars of a just and functional democratic society: the people, the rule of law, credible elections, and accountability. Undermine any of these, and democracy itself begins to crumble,” he wrote.
Media Talk Africa reports that Oborevwori, left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress, APC, while Ifeanyi Okowa, his immediate predecessor, is set to join the ruling party soon.
Recall that Oborevwori succeeded Okowa as the governor of Delta after winning the 2023 election on the platform of the PDP.
The PDP, in recent weeks, has lost several members to the ruling APC, with other governors and key party members also reportedly planning to defect.
The former Vice-President said any attempt to erode these values is a direct threat to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
He said that defections and political alignments are part of the country’s evolving democratic culture, and must not be seen as betrayal.
“As someone who believes deeply in democratic ideals, I bear no ill will towards anyone who chooses a different political path.
“Politics will always involve shifting alliances, we’ve seen them in the past and we’ll see more in the future,” he added.
