Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised serious concerns about the increasing repression of free speech under the administration of President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. Atiku accused the Tinubu government of acting like sovereign rulers over the people, using oppressive laws such as the Cyberstalking Act to silence dissent and stifle opposition voices.
He warned that this disturbing trend is eroding the democratic foundations of the nation and turning the federal government into a "bully" that suppresses free citizens. Atiku emphasized that democracy thrives on free expression and criticism of leadership rights that the current administration is undermining through arrests, re-arrests, and intimidation of journalists, activists, and peaceful protesters.
Highlighting the lengths to which the government has gone to curtail dissent, Atiku pointed to a long list of detained Nigerians and condemned the use of force against peaceful demonstrations. He appealed for a return to rule of law and respect for constitutional freedoms.
Atiku described the 2027 election as a pivotal contest between Tinubu’s hegemony and the collective will of the Nigerian people, asserting that no dictator can suppress the voice of a determined populace indefinitely.
This warning underscores ongoing tensions around governance, human rights, and electoral integrity in Nigeria's evolving democratic landscape.