Atiku Sounds Alarm Over Authoritarian Trends in Nigeria

Former Vice President and presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has raised serious concerns over what he describes as a “troubling trend towards authoritarianism” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement issued on Friday, Atiku pointed to recent developments in Kaduna, Katsina, and other states as evidence of a coordinated assault on dissent and civic freedoms. He highlighted the summons of Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, and leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the reported attack on former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and the violent disruption of the Katsina Elders Forum meeting on security reforms.

“These are not isolated incidents,” Atiku said. “They signify a dangerous pattern of repression targeting reformist voices and undermining peaceful civic engagement.”

He warned that criminalizing opposition and using security agencies against perceived opponents could erode the foundations of Nigeria’s democracy. “No government that resorts to intimidation can genuinely uphold democratic principles,” he added.

The former vice president further cautioned that the country is at risk of sliding into authoritarian rule if such patterns continue unchecked. He called on Nigerians, both citizens and statesmen, to defend democratic values, emphasizing that “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,” Atiku concluded.