
Dare Babalola
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the police invitation to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing it as a “dangerous assault on civic freedoms” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku cited other incidents, including an attack on former Attorney General Abubakar Malami and the disruption of a meeting in Katsina, as evidence of a growing trend towards authoritarianism.
The Kaduna State Police Command had invited El-Rufai and seven African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders for questioning over alleged conspiracy, incitement, and other offenses. The invitation has sparked widespread criticism, with many viewing it as a ploy to silence opposition voices.
Atiku, in a statement he signed personally on Friday, faulted the police invitation, warning that criminalising opposition could push Nigeria towards authoritarian rule. He emphasised the importance of dissenting voices in a democratic setup and urged Nigerians to recognise the urgency of the situation.
Atiku stressed that defending democracy is a collective responsibility and that Nigerians must not allow the principles of liberty, justice, and the rule of law to be undermined by partisan desperation. He called on citizens to stand up for their rights and freedoms.
Atiku expressed concerns over a growing trend towards authoritarianism under the Tinubu administration, citing incidents in Kaduna, Katsina, and other parts of the country. He warned that if this trend continues, Nigeria may slide into authoritarian rule.
Atiku emphasised that dissent is vital to democracy and that criminalizing opposition erodes the foundations of the Republic. He urged Nigerians to speak out against any attempts to undermine their rights and freedoms.
The former Vice President warned that Nigeria is dangerously close to slipping into authoritarian rule if practices of repression continue unabated. He called on citizens to stand up for their rights and freedoms and to defend democracy at all costs.