In a statement posted on his official X account, Atiku condemned recent incidents involving the reported police summons of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, disruption of an African Democratic Congress (ADC) meeting in Kaduna, the attack on former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, and the violent interruption of the Katsina Elders Forum security meeting.
Describing the incidents as a “coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices,” Atiku warned that Nigeria risks slipping into authoritarian rule if such actions persist.
“These are not isolated incidents,” he said. “They represent a troubling pattern of repression, targeting opposition figures and civic engagement. Dissent is vital to democracy. Criminalising opposition and using security agencies to silence reformist voices undermines our democratic foundations.”
Atiku stressed that defending democracy must go beyond partisan lines, urging Nigerians to recognise the urgency of preserving civic freedoms.
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“Power is transient, but history will harshly judge those who wield it against the people,” he said. “Nigeria belongs to all of us, not just the ruling party.”
His comments follow growing concerns over the alleged use of security forces to suppress political opposition and gatherings, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
El-Rufai had recently accused the police of halting a scheduled ADC meeting in Kaduna, citing a violation of constitutional freedoms. Similar disruptions and attacks have also been reported in Katsina and elsewhere.
Source: Punch
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