Atiku accuses Tinubu of dismantling democracy, warns Nigeria sliding toward authoritarianism
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of actively dismantling democracy and pushing Nigeria toward authoritarian rule, with dangerous implications for West Africa. In a statement on Monday, Atiku condemned the Department of State Services (DSS) raid on former Attorney General Abubakar Malami's residences and businesses shortly after Malami's visit, describing it as lawless, vindictive, and politically motivated. He warned that state institutions are being weaponized to silence dissent, with Nigeria witnessing the rapid erosion of democratic norms. Atiku alleged a coordinated campaign to crush opposition voices ahead of the 2027 elections, comparing the trajectory to the Abacha-era self-succession plot. He accused the administration of using anti-corruption agencies for political coercion, forcing elected officials to defect to the APC under threat. Atiku stated: 'This is how democracies die. What we are seeing is the naked abuse of power security agencies deployed not for national security, but for settling political scores.' He concluded that Nigeria is dangerously close to becoming a one-party state, urging Nigerians to resist what he called a 'civilian coup' denying real political options.