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Says Presidency meddling in ADC to weaken opposition, warns democracy is “under siege”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed suggestions that he should withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, declaring instead that if anyone should step aside, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as a “national liability.”

Atiku made the remarks in a statement issued Tuesday by his media aide, Paul Ibe, titled: “Nigeria’s Democracy Under Siege: Opposition Faces Existential Threat.” He accused the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of interfering in the internal affairs of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), particularly over its presidential ticket.

According to Atiku, the Tinubu administration is pursuing a calculated strategy to weaken opposition parties and steer Nigeria toward a de facto one-party state. He alleged that individuals aligned with the Presidency have been issuing “reckless prescriptions” to the ADC on its choice of flagbearer in an attempt to destabilize the party.

The former PDP presidential candidate noted that other major figures, including Mr. Peter Obi and Mr. Rotimi Amaechi are also eyeing the ADC ticket, but insisted that the party will decide its candidate through a transparent presidential convention.

“At the appropriate time, all qualified aspirants will present themselves freely. No one is stepping down,” the statement said, adding that urging him to withdraw would amount to enabling authoritarian tendencies. “If anyone should step aside, it is President Tinubu, a national liability.”

Atiku argued that Nigerians have endured nearly three years of economic hardship and shrinking democratic freedoms under the current administration, accusing the government of deliberately weakening opposition parties so that the APC remains dominant “not by merit, but by default.”

He said concerned leaders rallied around the ADC as a credible alternative and warned against “external interference, intimidation, or sabotage” as the party builds grassroots structures nationwide. The statement also referenced Peter Obi’s recent public declaration for the ADC, which Atiku claimed triggered panic within the ruling party.

Reaffirming that the ADC remains open to “all genuine opposition forces,” Atiku declared that the party is determined to challenge the APC in 2027 and defend democratic governance.

“Nigeria’s democracy will not be surrendered without resistance,” he said.