- Atiku Abubakar says Tinubu’s government is ruling through repression and intimidation in Nigeria.
- He accuses the administration of abusing the Cyberstalking Act to silence critics and journalists.
- The 2027 election, according to him, will test Tinubu’s dominance against the will of Nigerians.
- Atiku calls on citizens to resist fear and defend democracy and freedom of speech.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government of ruling through repression and intimidation, warning that Nigeria is drifting toward a police state.
In an opinion piece titled “A Nation Gripped in the Throes of Fear,” Atiku said the Tinubu administration is using arrests, fear tactics, and the Cyberstalking Act to silence journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens who speak against the government. He urged Nigerians to resist fear and defend their democratic rights before it is too late.
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Atiku alleged that the Tinubu government has weaponized state institutions to suppress opposition and has repeatedly disobeyed court orders, actions he said weaken democracy and erode the rule of law.
He lamented that institutions meant to act as checks on government power, such as the National Assembly and oversight agencies, now appear more interested in praising the presidency than holding it accountable.
According to him, the 2027 general election will be a decisive moment between Tinubu’s dominance and the will of the Nigerian people. He called on civil society and citizens to speak out against the growing culture of fear and reclaim their freedom of expression.
Atiku condemned the misuse of the Cyberstalking Act, describing it as “a modern tool of tyranny” and comparing it to the colonial-era sedition laws. He said any law that restricts criticism of government officials is undemocratic and dangerous.
He also criticized the use of security forces to suppress protests, adding that the government’s disregard for court rulings and human rights shows a troubling slide into authoritarianism.
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Atiku cited reports from Amnesty International and Media Rights Agenda that have repeatedly condemned the Tinubu administration’s human rights record, insisting that no government is greater than its people.
He concluded that history has never been kind to oppressive regimes and urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in protecting freedom, justice, and democracy.
