The fight for presidency nearly cost me my life – Atiku

Atiku Abubakar has said that the journey to becoming Nigeria’s president almost cost him his life.

Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku stated that his move to enthrone and deepen democracy in Nigeria started even during the military era. He said in the last three decades he has devoted his life in the fight to deepen democracy in the country

He said, “It is with a heart full of sadness that I address you today. I have in the last three decades devoted my life to battle to birth and deepen democracy in our country.

“It was a battle that started during the military era. It was a struggle that nearly cost me my life and that of my son where eight policemen were killed in the attempt to save our lives. I survived the assassination only by the mercy and the grace of God.

“That was not all, my businesses were nearly crippled. My commitment in the enthronement of democracy made me join forces with other compatriots.

“As a leader of the defunct Social Democratic Party, together with our current Chairman, we fought and won the 1993 presidential election which was acclaimed to be the freest election in our nation’s history. There was no internet then, yet it was the freest and fairest election”.