Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called for immediate and transparent investigations into attacks on the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya.
Atiku condemned the attacks, describing them as troubling and unacceptable, while accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of creating an atmosphere of intimidation against opposition leaders and their supporters.
Sowore was attacked on Friday in Ekiti State, while Dan’iya was also reportedly assaulted in Sokoto State.
Atiku said Saturday the incidents raised serious concerns about the safety of opposition politicians and the state of Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
He alleged that the attacks reflected the extent to which the APC administration was prepared to oppress and intimidate political opponents.
“These twin assaults expose the extent to which the ruling APC administration is prepared to oppress and intimidate opposition leaders and their supporters,” he said.
The former vice-president also expressed concern that the attacks occurred while President Bola Tinubu was away on a spiritual pilgrimage, alleging that political enforcers and thugs loyal to the ruling party were unleashing violence against opposition figures.
“It is particularly disturbing that while President Bola Tinubu is away on spiritual pilgrimage, political enforcers and thugs loyal to his party are unleashing terror on his political opponents at home. These two realities cannot coexist in a democracy,” Atiku said.
He further raised concerns over what he described as continued attacks on opposition figures and the unexplained disappearance of critical social media influencers, warning that the developments could signal a slide towards censorship and the suppression of political opposition.
According to him, the incidents were unbecoming of a democratic government and reflected what he described as the desperation of the Tinubu administration.
Atiku also alleged that a local security outfit in Sokoto State had been harassing supporters of the ADC and manhandling citizens for wearing the party’s branded merchandise.
“I have it on good authority that a local security outfit in Sokoto State has been harassing ADC supporters, manhandling citizens simply for wearing ADC merchandise,” he stated.
He called on the Federal Government to ensure that the circumstances surrounding both attacks were thoroughly investigated and that those responsible were held accountable.
Atiku also urged the Tinubu administration to refrain from actions capable of suppressing opposition activities and guarantee a free, fair and competitive electoral process.
He maintained that Nigerians must be allowed to participate freely in political activities and make their choices in the forthcoming general elections.
“We shall resist every ongoing attempt to cancel political opposition in Nigeria. The ruling APC has failed in its mandate. Nigerians must be allowed to freely participate in an electoral contest that will determine the fate of this administration,” he added.
