“Nigeria dangerously slipping into authoritarian rule,” Atiku raises alarm

By Ayox Ojo/Abuja

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised alarm about what he described as a troubling trend towards authoritarianism in Nigeria under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Atiku raised the alarm on his social media platforms on Friday in reaction to what he described as a coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the very essence of pluralistic democracy.

He cited summons of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and leaders of the ADC in Kaduna by the police to back up his claim.

Atiku also cited what he described as the brazen attack on former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, and the violent disruption of the Katsina Elders Forum meeting on security reforms to back up his claim.

The former Vice President said the three incidents are not isolated, but instead signify a coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the very essence of pluralistic democracy.

“It is important to emphasize that dissent is vital to democracy. Criminalizing opposition, attacking reformist voices, and undermining peaceful civic engagement erode the foundations of our 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.

“I urge all Nigerians, both statesmen and citizens, to recognize 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,” Atiku said.