The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, made the remarks in Lagos on Wednesday during the launch of a book, Fighting Lions, authored by renowned journalist and politician, Dele Momodu.
Former Vice President and frontline Peoples Democratic Party presidential aspirant has said his commitment to the promotion of democracy and good governance is borne out of his belief that Nigeria must evolve through the ethos of participatory politics to be a competitive nation of the future.
The launch of the book is in posthumous honour of the late winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
Abubakar, who was represented at the event by the former governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, similarly called on Nigerians from all walks of life to stand strong and be counted in the struggle to sustain democratic due diligence, rule of law and fundamental human rights because “those are the values that will strengthen the country in the future”.
He paid tribute to Momodu for his courage and bravery in capturing and preserving contemporary history of our national socio-political activities for the benefit of generations unborn.
Remarking on the decision of the author to commit his experiences with late Abiola into a literature, Abubakar noted that the title of the book: “Fighting Lions,” actually rings a bell and resonates with his entire political life, which has been fraught with ups and downs.
He said: “To be candid, some of us who have experienced the good and bad sides of politics must endeavour to put pen to paper and document our thoughts in order to add to the body of human knowledge.
“However, Nigerians should not despair in the face of oppression and intimidation.
“Rather, all must work together to defend the sacred tenets of democracy, equity and social justice.”