Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is facing an existential threat, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of deliberately weakening opposition parties and shrinking democratic space in a manner that could lead to a de facto one-party state.
In a statement signed by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, Atiku said
Nigerians have endured nearly three years of severe economic hardship under the
Tinubu-led government, alongside policies and political actions that he claimed
undermine democratic values.
According to him, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)
has pursued a calculated strategy that combines harsh economic decisions with
political manoeuvres aimed at eliminating viable opposition, leaving the APC
dominant “by default, not by merit.”
Atiku described the sustained erosion of opposition parties
as one of the most troubling developments under the current administration,
stressing that democracy cannot survive without strong and credible political
alternatives.
“The systematic weakening of opposition platforms represents
a grave danger to Nigeria’s democratic future,” he said, adding that patriotic
leaders identified the danger early and rallied around the African Democratic
Congress (ADC) as a platform for national rescue.
The former vice president alleged that forces aligned with
the Presidency are now attempting to destabilise the ADC by interfering in its
internal affairs, particularly through public pressure and speculation over the
party’s choice of presidential candidate.
Reacting to calls in some quarters for him to step aside,
Atiku dismissed such demands as irresponsible and anti-democratic, describing
them as subtle attempts to weaken the opposition and advance authoritarian
interests.
“Atiku Abubakar, alongside other committed patriots, is
central to this rescue mission. Any call, overt or covert, for him to step
aside is a betrayal of democratic choice and a disservice to the Nigerian
people,” the statement said.
He reaffirmed that the ADC remains committed to an open,
transparent and competitive process in selecting its presidential flagbearer,
insisting that no external actor has the standing to intimidate, blackmail or
sabotage the party.
Atiku said the party’s immediate focus is on strengthening
its grassroots presence, with ongoing efforts to build solid ward, local
government and state structures across the country.
He added that the ADC remains open to all genuine opposition
figures, describing inclusiveness as the essence of democracy, and assured that
when the time comes, all qualified aspirants would be free to contest without
pressure or coercion.
In a pointed remark, Atiku 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 rising public frustration
He also referenced the recent public declaration of ADC
membership by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in Enugu,
describing the move as politically significant, particularly in the Southeast.
According to Atiku, Obi’s declaration triggered open boasts
by a serving minister and presidential aides about plans to undermine the ADC,
saying such reactions exposed fear within the ruling party.
“The panic is evident. The rising acceptance of the ADC as a
credible alternative has unsettled those who benefit from the status quo,” he
said.
He concluded by vowing that the ADC would resist
intimidation, intrigue and sabotage, insisting that Nigeria would not surrender
its democracy without a fight.
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