Atiku Abubakar democracy warnings have intensified as the former Vice President accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of deliberately weakening opposition parties and shrinking Nigeria’s democratic space. In a statement released via his spokesman, Paul Ibe, Atiku said the country faces the risk of sliding into a de facto one-party state.
Atiku cited nearly three years of severe economic hardship under the Tinubu-led government, alleging that harsh policies and political manoeuvres are being used to eliminate credible opposition. He described the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress as “by default, not by merit,” and called the erosion of opposition platforms a “grave danger” to the nation’s democratic future.
He highlighted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a platform for national rescue, stressing that patriotic leaders rallied around the party to provide a credible political alternative. Atiku rejected calls for him to step aside in the party’s presidential contest, describing such demands as anti-democratic and attempts to advance authoritarian interests.
“Atiku Abubakar, alongside other committed patriots, is central to this rescue mission. Any call, overt or covert, for him to step aside is a betrayal of democratic choice,” the statement said. He reaffirmed that ADC remains committed to a transparent and competitive process for selecting its presidential flagbearer, free from external intimidation or coercion.
The former Vice President noted that the party’s immediate focus is on strengthening grassroots structures nationwide, building robust ward, local government, and state frameworks. He stressed that ADC welcomes all genuine opposition figures and emphasized that inclusiveness is the essence of democracy.
Atiku also argued that if anyone should step aside for the national interest, it should be President Tinubu, whom he described as a growing national liability amid worsening economic conditions and public frustration.
Referencing Peter Obi’s recent public joining of the ADC in Enugu, Atiku said the move highlighted the rising acceptance of the party as a credible alternative and triggered evident panic among ruling party aides, signaling fear of a strengthened opposition.
He concluded by vowing that the ADC would resist intimidation, intrigue, and sabotage, asserting that “Nigeria will not surrender its democracy without a fight.”
