Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has raised alarm over what he described as the “creeping authoritarianism” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, following the police summons of ex-Kaduna governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and several leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The Kaduna State Police Command, in a letter dated September 4, 2025, ordered El-Rufai and six other ADC leaders to appear before its Criminal Investigation Department on September 8. The summons, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Uzainu Abdullahi, cited allegations of criminal conspiracy, incitement, disturbance of public peace, mischief, and causing grievous hurt.
Those listed include Bashir Sa’idu, Jafaru Sani, Ubaidullah Mohammed (a.k.a. “30”), Nasiru Maikano, Aminu Abita, and Ahmed Rufa’i Hussaini (a.k.a. “Mikiya”).
Just hours before the summons, security operatives sealed off the ADC’s Kaduna State headquarters at No. 4 Ali Akilu Road — a move that sparked outrage within opposition circles, particularly as the party’s Northwest leadership was due in the state for a condolence visit.
In a strongly worded statement on Friday, Atiku condemned the Kaduna developments, linking them with similar crackdowns in Katsina and other states. He argued that these incidents represent a “coordinated and dangerous assault” on democratic freedoms.
“The summons of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and leaders of the ADC in Kaduna, the brazen attack on former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and the violent disruption of the Katsina Elders Forum meeting are not isolated incidents,” Atiku declared.
“They signify a calculated attempt to silence dissenting voices, criminalize opposition, and shrink civic space — hallmarks of authoritarian rule.”
Atiku cautioned that Nigeria was on the brink of returning to its darkest days of repression.
“Without a doubt, Nigeria is dangerously close to slipping back into authoritarian rule if these patterns of repression continue unchecked,” he warned.
“Democracy cannot thrive when the opposition is hounded, reformist voices attacked, and civic engagement treated as a crime. No government that weaponizes security agencies against perceived opponents can truly claim to uphold democratic principles.”
The former Vice President urged Nigerians across political and ideological divides to rise in defense of democracy before it is too late.
“Defending democracy is not the duty of the opposition alone; it is a collective national responsibility,” Atiku said.
“Power is transient, but history will never forgive those who use it to intimidate rather than to serve. Nigeria belongs to all of us, not to the ruling party or a single individual. We must not allow liberty, justice, and the rule of law to be sacrificed on the altar of partisan desperation.”
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