Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that Nigeria could approach the 2027 general election in an atmosphere of repression, warning that sustained crackdowns on dissent pose a serious threat to the conduct of free and fair polls.
Atiku raised the alarm while reacting to the arrest of Abubakar Salim Musa, a young Nigerian whose detention was made public on Sunday evening by Amnesty International Nigeria via its official X handle, @AmnestyNigeria.
In a statement issued on Monday, the former Vice President accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of increasingly relying on intimidation and arrests to stifle criticism, rather than confronting what he described as deepening governance failures.
He described Musa’s arrest as a clear indication of what he called the repressive posture of the current administration, alleging that dissenting voices—whether through street protests or online commentary—are being deliberately targeted.
According to Atiku, Musa’s only alleged wrongdoing was his persistent and lawful criticism of the worsening security situation in Northern Nigeria and other parts of the country.
Referencing Amnesty International’s position, Atiku further argued that the charges against Musa lacked substance, warning that the case reflected a broader pattern of using state institutions to silence opposing views.
