Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that Nigeria could slide into the 2027 general elections under an atmosphere of fear and repression, following what he described as a growing pattern of government crackdowns on dissent.
Atiku issued the warning on Monday while reacting to the arrest of Abubakar Salim Musa, a young Nigerian whose detention was made public on Sunday evening by Amnesty International Nigeria via its official X handle, @AmnestyNigeria.
In a statement, the former Vice President accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of resorting to intimidation, arrests, and the misuse of state institutions to silence critics instead of addressing the country’s deepening governance and security challenges.
“This case is yet another stark example of the repressive nature of the President Bola Tinubu administration, which continues to bare its fangs against dissent, whether expressed through public protests or online criticism,” Atiku said.
He maintained that Musa’s arrest was directly linked to his criticism of the worsening security situation in Northern Nigeria and other parts of the country, insisting that such expression was both lawful and legitimate.
Quoting Amnesty International, Atiku said the charges against Musa lacked credibility and reflected what he described as a broader pattern of using “bogus charges and sham trials” to suppress opposing views.
He further alleged that several Nigerians, including journalists, schoolchildren, entertainers, and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, have in recent times faced arrest, intimidation, or assault by security agencies for criticizing the President or members of his family.
According to him, the trend poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
“This dangerous pattern undermines the very foundations of democracy, which rest on the protection of fundamental human rights and freedom of expression,” he said.
Atiku added that Nigeria could not credibly claim to be part of the democratic world if citizens were routinely harassed or detained for voicing dissent.
“With the nation approaching a critical general election, neither the people nor the opposition can operate effectively in an atmosphere of fear and repression,” he warned.
The former Vice President called on the Tinubu administration to immediately and unconditionally release Abubakar Salim Musa and others detained for exercising their constitutional rights. He also appealed to the international community, civil society groups, and Nigerians to speak out against what he described as the erosion of fundamental freedoms in the country.
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