Nigeria – Atiku Abubakar Condemns Tinubu Administration’s Assault on Civil Society

By Utebor Paul, Nigeria

Nigerian Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned President Bola Tinubu administration’s alarming assault on civil society and the media.

In a statement he made on his “X” (formerly known as Twitter) account on Tuesday, Abubakar asserted that the current regime’s methods of control exceed even those experienced during Nigeria’s most oppressive military regimes.

Abubakar highlighted recent developments as indicative of the administration’s authoritarian tendencies.

He cited the arrest of Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labor Congress, who was detained while travelling to an official event. According to Abubakar, this incident reflects a broader pattern of intimidation against organized labor.

He also pointed to the recent detention of a journalist by security forces, which was later described as a serious mistake. Abubakar questioned the potential consequences if the situation had ended tragically.

The VP further criticized the regime’s actions against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), deeming it a direct attack on democratic principles.

He urged President Tinubu and his security forces to redirect their efforts towards combating the real threats to national security (terrorists and bandits), rather than targeting civil society and media.