Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned simultaneous attacks on the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, and the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya.
In a statement posted on Saturday, Atiku described the attacks as deeply troubling and unacceptable, saying they expose the extent to which the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, administration is prepared to oppress and intimidate opposition leaders and their supporters.
He said it was particularly disturbing that while President Bola Tinubu is away on spiritual pilgrimage, political enforcers and thugs loyal to his party are unleashing terror on political opponents at home.
“These two realities cannot coexist in a democracy,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President said the continued attacks on opposition figures and the unexplained disappearance of critical social media influencers are clear red flags of a dangerous slide toward a censored state where the opposition is crushed by brute force.
“These incidents are unbecoming of any democratic government and starkly reveal the desperation of the Tinubu administration,” he added.
Atiku demanded immediate and transparent investigations into both attacks and called on the Tinubu government to refrain from any attempt to muzzle the opposition and guarantee a free, fair and competitive contest in the forthcoming general elections.
He also alleged that a local security outfit in Sokoto State has been harassing ADC supporters and manhandling citizens for wearing ADC merchandise.
“We shall resist every ongoing attempt to cancel political opposition in Nigeria. The ruling APC has failed in its mandate. Nigerians must be allowed to freely participate in an electoral contest that will determine the fate of this administration,” Atiku said.
