Democracy under siege — Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stressed that the growing popularity of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the overwhelming support it continues to receive across the country should not be met with intimidation or institutional sabotage.

“The proper response to a popular political movement is not suppression. It is to present superior ideas before the electorate. Democracies are won at the ballot box, not in back rooms, not through manipulated court processes, and certainly not through the abuse of state institutions.”

He warned that any attempt to prevent the ADC from fully participating in the electoral process would represent one of the gravest assaults on Nigeria’s constitutional democracy since the return to civil rule.

“No administration has the constitutional authority to determine which political party Nigerians are permitted to vote for. Sovereignty belongs to the people, not to those who temporarily wield power. The ballot is sacred, and every attempt to tamper with it is an attack on the Republic itself.”

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Atiku raised serious concerns over what appeared to be a fresh and coordinated attempt by desperate elements within the ruling establishment to manipulate the democratic process and deny Nigerians the right to freely choose their next president.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the Waziri of Adamawa disclosed that he had received credible information indicating that renewed efforts might be underway to use political and legal machinations to keep the ADC off the ballot ahead of the 2027 general election.

The ADC presidential candidate said there is a coordinated onslaught by anti-democratic elements within the ruling party aimed at ensuring that the party is excluded from next year’s ballot.

“We are fully aware of their plots. While they seek to sow confusion within the opposition, we know their real target is the ADC because it represents the most credible alternative.

“We therefore call on all Nigerians, not just ADC members and supporters, to rise in defence of democracy and reject any attempt by the ruling party to cherry-pick which opposition parties are permitted to participate in the next general election.

“Our message to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the hooded men plotting in dark chambers is simple: you may conspire, but you will not succeed. If the APC is truly confident in its popularity, why is it so terrified of the ADC?” Atiku queried.

While noting that he sincerely hopes the information does not materialise, Atiku said recent developments have made it impossible to dismiss such warnings lightly.

“The pattern has become all too familiar. First, institutions that ought to be neutral are drawn into partisan contests. Then, frivolous litigation suddenly gains unusual momentum. Administrative powers are selectively deployed. Political pressure is mounted behind closed doors. Before long, democracy itself becomes the casualty.”

He said Nigerians have watched over the past months as every conceivable tactic has been deployed against the opposition — from attempts to manufacture leadership crises to judicial ambushes, administrative harassment, and calculated efforts to delegitimise the country’s fastest-growing political movement.

“The obsession with silencing the opposition has become so consuming that governance itself has taken a back seat. At a time when Nigerians are battling hunger, inflation, unemployment, insecurity, and collapsing purchasing power, those entrusted with public office appear preoccupied with political survival rather than national survival.”

The former vice president called on the judiciary to remain faithful to its constitutional oath and resist every form of external pressure, reminding judicial officers that history has never been kind to those who sacrifice justice on the altar of political convenience.

He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society organisations, the diplomatic community, and all defenders of democracy to remain vigilant against any action capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.

“We are placing Nigerians on notice because democracy flourishes only when citizens refuse to be indifferent. Eternal vigilance remains the price of liberty. Every Nigerian who believes in constitutional rule must pay close attention to unfolding events.”

Atiku maintained that no amount of intimidation, blackmail, judicial manipulation, or political engineering would weaken the resolve of millions of Nigerians who have embraced the ADC as the vehicle for rescuing the nation.

“The desire for change cannot be outlawed. Hope cannot be deregistered. Democracy cannot be subverted by administrative fiat. The will of the Nigerian people will prevail over every conspiracy, and history will ultimately judge those who seek to place personal ambition above the survival of our democracy.”