Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has described the recent summons of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the attack on former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, and the disruption of the Katsina Elders Forum security meeting as a “coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices.”
Atiku also raised concerns about what he termed growing authoritarian tendencies under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Friday, the former vice president warned that these developments pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic values.
“The recent events in Kaduna, Katsina, and other areas highlight a troubling trend towards authoritarianism under the Tinubu administration. The summons of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and leaders of the ADC in Kaduna, the brazen attack on former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and the violent disruption of the Katsina Elders Forum meeting on security reforms are not isolated incidents. Instead, they signify a coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the very essence of pluralistic democracy.”, said Atiku.
He stressed the importance of protecting diverse opinions in a democratic society, warning that criminalising opposition and undermining civic engagement erode the foundations of the republic.
“No government that resorts to intimidation and uses security agencies as weapons against perceived opponents can genuinely uphold democratic principles. Without a doubt, Nigeria is dangerously close to slipping into authoritarian rule if these patterns of repression continue unabated. We cannot afford to return to an era marked by fear, silence, and impunity.” he said.
Atiku urged Nigerians across political divides to treat the defence of democracy as a shared responsibility.
“I call on all Nigerians—both statesmen and citizens—to recognise the urgency of this moment. Defending our democracy cannot be the sole responsibility of the opposition; it is a collective national duty. Power is transient, but history will harshly judge those who wield it against the people instead of in their service. Nigeria belongs to all of us, not just the ruling party or any single individual. We must not allow the principles of liberty, justice, and the rule of law to be undermined by partisan desperation,” he added.
