2027: Tinubu focused on having his way or destroying Nigeria’s democracy — Atiku alleges

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu is focused on either having his way in the 2027 general election or undermining Nigeria’s democratic system.

Mr Abubakar made the allegation while reacting to the reported denial of access to a public event centre in Abuja by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,FCT, Nyesom Wike, for the ratification former president Good luck Jonathan as the presidential candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his media office, the ADC flagbearer described the minister’s action as repressive and a further indication of alleged attempts by the Tinubu administration to frustrate political opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The action of Minister Wike to deny the PDP the opportunity to hold an event in line with its constitutional right represents a blatant abuse of the party’s rights and an unacceptable infringement on the freedom of association and peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“Private and public facilities in the Federal Capital Territory, or indeed anywhere in the country, exist to serve all Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliation.

“The Minister’s refusal to allow a legitimate political activity to hold in such a venue is not only discriminatory but also a clear demonstration of partisan interference by the Tinubu administration.

“We have seen a pattern of political interference through public institutions aimed at weakening opposition parties under the current administration. We have also seen, in the case under reference with the PDP, and similarly with the ADC during its national convention held in April, that the Tinubu government is literally pushing political opposition out of public space.

“It was under the same leadership of Wike in the FCT that a sponsored faction of the ADC held a public event a few days ago without any interference.

“This sets a dangerous precedent that undermines Nigeria’s democracy, the rule of law, and the integrity of our elections.
“This high-handed action is consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s emerging pattern of deploying state institutions and resources to frustrate political opposition and weaken the democratic process in the build-up to the 2027 presidential election.
“By weaponising the FCT administration against opposition parties, the Tinubu administration is revealing its intolerance for political pluralism and its determination to create an uneven playing field that favours only the ruling party and its allies,” the statement said.

The statement further noted that Mr Abubakar whom it described as a firm believer in democratic values and the right of every Nigerian to freely associate and express political choices, views the development as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and tilt the political environment in favour of the ruling party.
According to the statement, Tinubu is “a steamroller of impunity” who is determined to undermine the principles of democracy.
“The Tinubu government is afraid of free and fair elections, and its tactics to suppress the opposition will not succeed.
“Nigerians are resolute in their demand for genuine democracy, accountability, and leadership that respects the Constitution rather than subverting it.”

The statement called on the FCT Minister to reverse the decision and allow all opposition parties unhindered access to public and private facilities for legitimate political activities.

“We equally urge all democratic stakeholders, civil society organisations, and well-meaning Nigerians to rise against this creeping authoritarianism before it further erodes the foundations of our republic,” the statement added.