Atiku Slams El-Rufai Police Summons, Warns of Rising Authoritarianism
Atiku Slams El-Rufai Police Summons, Warns of Rising Authoritarianism
Abuja — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised alarm over what he described as a “dangerous assault on civic freedoms” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, following the police invitation of ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai and several African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders.
The Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday directed El-Rufai and seven ADC chieftains to appear before its Criminal Investigation Department on September 8 over allegations of criminal conspiracy, incitement, and public disturbance.
Reacting in a statement on Friday, Atiku faulted the summons, insisting it was part of a broader pattern of intolerance towards dissenting voices. He also linked the development to recent violent incidents — including the attack on former Attorney General Abubakar Malami and the disruption of a Katsina Elders Forum meeting on security reforms.
“These incidents are not isolated,” Atiku said. “They represent a coordinated attempt to silence dissent, restrict civic freedoms, and erode the foundation of our pluralistic democracy.”
Warning Against Authoritarian Drift
The 2023 PDP presidential candidate warned that criminalizing opposition and undermining civic engagement would push Nigeria dangerously close to authoritarian rule.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us, not just the ruling party or any single individual. We must not allow liberty, justice, and the rule of law to be sacrificed on the altar of partisan desperation,” he cautioned.
Atiku urged citizens to remain vigilant, stressing that defending democracy and civic space was a collective responsibility.
By Haruna Yakubu Haruna
