Olusegun Ariyo
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned recent developments in Kaduna, Katsina, and other parts of the country, describing them as a dangerous assault on civic freedoms under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The statement comes a day after the Kaduna State Police Command invited el-Rufai and seven ADC leaders for questioning over alleged conspiracy, incitement, and other offences.
Atiku, in a statement on Friday, faulted the police invitation to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, and leaders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the state over alleged criminal conspiracy and public disturbance.
He also cited the attack on former Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, and the violent disruption of a meeting of the Katsina Elders Forum on security reforms as evidence of what he called a growing trend towards authoritarianism.
“These incidents are not isolated. They signify a coordinated assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the essence of pluralistic democracy,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President warned that criminalising opposition and undermining peaceful civic engagement could push Nigeria dangerously close to authoritarian rule.
He urged Nigerians to recognise the urgency of the situation, stressing that the defence of democracy must be a collective responsibility.
“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,” he said.
