Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of abusing power, saying the practice must stop.
Atiku made the remarks Wednesday night in a post on his official X account after emerging as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said his nomination reflected the party’s internal democracy and commitment to challenging what he described as APC dominance in national politics.
“I wish to express my profound appreciation for the privilege you have bestowed on me of leading our great party, the African Democratic Congress, into the next elections,” Atiku said. “I am truly humbled and excited by this singular honour.”
Atiku said the ADC had demonstrated that democracy was still alive within the party, contrasting it with what he described as democratic decline under the APC.
He said the ADC was a coalition formed through “hard work, immense sacrifices and compromises” aimed at “rescuing Nigeria’s democracy” from its greatest threat since 1999.
The former vice president also accused the federal government of engineering crises within opposition parties and using state institutions to target political rivals.
He alleged harassment and intimidation of opposition figures, including former Kaduna State Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, whom he said had been detained for three months despite court orders granting bail.
Atiku claimed El-Rufai had been denied the opportunity to celebrate religious holidays and spend time with family, describing the situation as “cruelty.”
“This kind of cruelty must stop,” he said.
He also accused the government of using security and anti-corruption agencies to pressure opposition politicians to defect to the APC, alleging that corruption charges were dropped once individuals joined the ruling party.
Atiku further claimed that attempts were being made to interfere in the affairs of the ADC coalition, including efforts to deregister the party.
“Any further attempt to interfere in the affairs of the party by the presidency, INEC and judiciary will be fiercely resisted,” he said.
He pledged that, if elected, his administration would prioritize security reforms, free and compulsory education, economic growth, job creation and expansion of primary healthcare.
Atiku also called for opposition unity ahead of the election, urging collaboration among political figures including former Rivers State Gov. Rotimi Amaechi and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
He said the ADC was focused on providing “accountable leadership” and addressing what he described as Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, economic hardship and governance challenges.
“The real hard work is about to begin,” he said. “We have to prepare to campaign hard to win the next general elections and rescue our country.”
