ADC Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar Accuses Tinubu Government of “Strangling Democracy,” Warns Against One Party State

May 27, 2026

By Opaluwa Oguche |Orion Reports

Former Vice President of Nigeria and ADC Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has launched one of his strongest attacks yet on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the Federal Government of suppressing opposition voices, weaponising state institutions and steering Nigeria toward authoritarian rule.

Atiku made the explosive remarks shortly after emerging as the presidential flag bearer of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections, following a landslide victory in the party’s nationwide direct primary election. The former Vice President secured 1,855,787 votes to defeat former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who polled 509,397 votes, while businessman Mohammed Hayatu Deen garnered 180,903 votes. 

His emergence signals a major political realignment within Nigeria’s opposition bloc ahead of the next presidential election.

In a fiery acceptance speech delivered after the primary election, Atiku said Nigeria’s democracy is facing its gravest danger since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

“We demonstrated that while democracy is being strangled and squashed by the ruling party and its oppressive and anti democratic government, democracy is alive and well in the African Democratic Congress,” Atiku declared.

The ADC presidential candidate alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress is systematically weakening opposition parties through intimidation, engineered leadership crises and the misuse of state institutions.

According to him, security agencies, anti corruption bodies and even institutions meant to safeguard democracy are now allegedly being used to pressure opposition politicians into defecting to the APC.

“The government continues to harass, intimidate and coerce opposition politicians to join the APC,” he said.

“Under this government, once a person joins the APC, the harassment ceases and the charges against them magically disappear.”

Atiku also referenced the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, describing the situation as politically motivated.

“He has been in detention for three months despite court orders granting him bail,” Atiku stated.

“This kind of cruelty must stop.”

The former Vice President further accused the government of attempting to interfere in the affairs of the ADC coalition, warning that any effort to undermine the party would be resisted.

“Any further attempt to interfere in the affairs of the party by the Presidency, INEC and judiciary will be fiercely resisted. Enough is enough,” he warned.

Beyond politics, Atiku painted a grim picture of the country’s security and economic conditions, describing insecurity across Nigeria as unprecedented.

“Our people are being slaughtered in large numbers and the government has failed to take decisive and effective action,” he said.

He promised that an ADC government under his leadership would strengthen the armed forces, improve intelligence coordination and massively recruit security personnel to combat rising violence nationwide.

On the economy, Atiku accused the APC administration of worsening poverty while a privileged political elite continues to prosper.

“The poverty gripping our people is at a level that we have never seen in our history,” he stated.

“What has really been growing is the ill gotten wealth of a few in and around the corridors of power.”

He also criticised the handling of fuel subsidy removal, rising debt levels and government spending, alleging that public borrowing is being used to reward political allies through questionable contracts.

The ADC presidential candidate additionally vowed to prioritise education, healthcare, power supply and economic reforms if elected president.

He pledged free and compulsory primary and secondary education, increased healthcare investment and policies aimed at attracting local and foreign investment to create jobs.

Despite the intensity of his criticism, Atiku called for unity within the opposition coalition, insisting that the ADC’s mission goes beyond individual ambition.

“There are no winners and no losers,” he said.

“Our people look up to us for leadership. I am ready to lead.”

The speech is expected to further heighten political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections as opposition parties intensify efforts to challenge the ruling APC.

Source: Acceptance speech by Former Vice President of Nigeria and ADC Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, May 27, 2026.