Nigeria's democratic institutions are facing a severe crisis as the country edges closer to authoritarian rule, a former Vice President has warned. Atiku Abubakar, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, has accused the current administration of using state power to silence dissent and intimidate opposition figures.
At the centre of the controversy is a high-profile siege on the residences and businesses of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. According to reports, the Department of State Services swooped in to seal Malami's properties shortly after his visit, despite the matter being before the courts. This brazen move has been condemned by Atiku as an example of the Tinubu administration's deliberate and coordinated campaign to crush opposition voices and impose total political control ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku has likened the current trajectory to the infamous Abacha-era self-succession plot, warning that Nigeria is dangerously close to becoming a one-party state in all but name. He has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of resorting to brute force to harass, intimidate, and coerce opposition leaders into submission. The former Vice President has also warned that the sustained targeting of figures like Nasir el-Rufai and Abubakar Malami is part of a broader strategy to coerce them into abandoning opposition politics and falling in line with the ruling party.
The implications of this crisis extend beyond Nigeria's borders, with potential consequences for the entire West African subregion. As the country teeters on the brink of authoritarian rule, the international community is watching with growing concern.
Atiku's warnings are a stark reminder that the erosion of democratic norms in Nigeria has far-reaching consequences for the country and the region. The Tinubu administration's brazen disregard for the rule of law and its willingness to use state power to silence dissent are a threat to the very fabric of democracy. As Nigeria hurtles towards a one-party state, the international community must take notice and hold the government accountable for its actions.
