Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of undermining democratic institutions and shrinking the country’s political space ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration, Atiku alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress was orchestrating efforts to weaken opposition parties through political intimidation, induced defections and the abuse of state institutions.
According to him, what should have been a celebration of democratic progress has become a moment for reflection on what he described as the gradual erosion of democratic values and constitutional governance in the country.
The former vice president claimed that opposition political parties had faced sustained attacks over the past three years through what he termed manufactured leadership crises, orchestrated defections and the deployment of state institutions against dissenting voices.
He further alleged that agencies responsible for law enforcement and anti-corruption, as well as the legislature and parts of the judiciary, had increasingly been used to harass and pressure opposition figures.
Atiku also criticized provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, arguing that they favoured the ruling party and posed challenges to political competition.
Reflecting on his role in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, the former vice president recalled his opposition to military rule and the personal sacrifices he made during the campaign for democratic governance.
He said his businesses were confiscated, an assassination attempt was made on him and his family in Kaduna, and he was eventually forced into exile because of his pro-democracy activities.
Atiku also referenced the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, noting that he stepped aside during the primaries of the former Social Democratic Party to support the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who later emerged as the winner of the historic poll.
He paid tribute to several figures who played significant roles in Nigeria’s democratic struggle, including Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, among others.
The ADC presidential candidate warned that Nigeria was facing what he described as a new form of authoritarianism, arguing that unlike military dictatorship, it operates through institutions that have allegedly been weakened or captured for political purposes.
According to him, warning signs of democratic decline include a shrinking civic space, a compromised electoral environment, intimidation of opposition figures, weakening democratic institutions and increasing concerns about the conduct of the 2027 elections.
He called on Nigerians, civil society organisations, labour unions, professional bodies, youth groups and political stakeholders to unite in defence of constitutional democracy and resist what he termed authoritarian tendencies.
“The struggle continues. And just as we marched before, we must be prepared to march again,” Atiku said.
He stressed that the preservation of democracy requires continuous vigilance and urged Nigerians not to allow the sacrifices made during the June 12 struggle to be in vain.
