Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is under an existential threat, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of deliberately weakening opposition parties and shrinking democratic space, a trend he says could lead to a de facto one-party state. In a statement signed by his spokesman Paul Ibe, Atiku claimed Nigerians had endured nearly three years of severe economic hardship under the Tinubu-led government, alongside policies and political actions that undermine democratic values.
Atiku alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has pursued a strategy combining harsh economic decisions with political manoeuvres to eliminate viable opposition, leaving the APC dominant “by default, not by merit.” He described the sustained erosion of opposition parties as one of the most disturbing developments under the current administration and stressed that democracy cannot survive without strong political alternatives.
He claimed forces aligned with the Presidency were attempting to destabilise the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by interfering in its internal affairs, particularly regarding the party’s choice of presidential candidate. Atiku dismissed calls for him to step aside as irresponsible and anti-democratic, arguing that he remains central to the opposition’s mission to rescue Nigeria’s democracy.
The former vice president said the ADC is focused on strengthening its grassroots structures nationwide and assured that all qualified aspirants will be free to contest without pressure or coercion. Atiku also argued that if anyone should step aside in the national interest, it should be President Tinubu, whom he described as a growing national liability amid worsening economic conditions and public frustration.
He further referenced the recent declaration of ADC membership by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in Enugu, describing it as politically significant and alleging that it triggered attempts by ruling party officials to undermine the ADC. Atiku concluded by vowing that the party would resist intimidation, intrigue, and sabotage, insisting that Nigeria would not surrender its democracy without a fight.
