In a statement issued on Friday, Atiku cited recent incidents in Kaduna, Katsina, and other states as evidence of a growing trend of repression against opposition voices and civic groups.
He pointed to the police invitations served on Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders in the state, the attack on the convoy of Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation, and the disruption of a Katsina Elders Forum meeting on security reforms, describing them as “not isolated occurrences but part of a coordinated pattern.”
“These actions represent a dangerous assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the essence of pluralistic democracy,” the former vice-president warned.
Atiku stressed that dissent is a cornerstone of democracy and cautioned that criminalising opposition, silencing reformist voices, and undermining peaceful civic engagement pose a grave threat to Nigeria’s democratic survival.
“No government that weaponises security agencies against perceived opponents can genuinely uphold democratic principles,” he said.
He further warned that the country risks sliding into authoritarianism if the trend is not urgently checked.
“We cannot afford to return to an era defined by fear, silence, and impunity,” Atiku added, urging Nigerians across political divides to stand in defence of democratic values.
According to him, the burden of defending democracy should not rest solely on the opposition but on all citizens determined to uphold liberty, justice, and the rule of law.
“Power is transient, but history will harshly judge those who wield it against the people instead of in their service,” Atiku declared.
He concluded by reminding the ruling party and the government that Nigeria belongs to all its citizens, and partisan desperation should never be allowed to undermine the nation’s democratic fabric.
