Just In: Atiku Warns Against Crackdown on Opposition As Police Summon El-Rufai, ADC Leaders

• Atiku Abubakar has criticised Tinubu’s government as the police summoned ex-Kaduna governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and top leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition
• Atiku, in a post shared on his X page on Friday, described the move as part of a growing pattern of political intimidation under the Tinubu administration
• Legit.ng reported that on Thursday, El-Rufai, and some top members of the ADC were mandated to appear before the state police over an alleged criminal conspiracy and incitement of public disturbance

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has described the summoning of former Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the attack on former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, and the disruption of the Katsina Elders Forum security meeting as a “coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices.”

Atiku also raised the alarm over what he described as growing authoritarian tendencies under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

The former VP made this known in a statement shared on his X page on Friday, September 5, warning that recent developments across the country posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic values.

Atiku tweeted:

“The recent events in Kaduna, Katsina, and other areas highlight a troubling trend towards authoritarianism under the Tinubu administration.

“The summons of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and leaders of the ADC in Kaduna, the brazen attack on former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and the violent disruption of the Katsina Elders Forum meeting on security reforms are not isolated incidents.

“Instead, they signify a coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the very essence of pluralistic democracy.”

He emphasised the importance of allowing diverse opinions in a democratic society.

“Without a doubt, Nigeria is dangerously close to slipping into authoritarian rule if these patterns of repression continue unabated. We cannot afford to return to an era marked by fear, silence, and impunity,” he continued.

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“You are overreaching your powers”: El-Rufai warns as police ban ADC meeting in Kaduna

Atiku further called on Nigerians across political divides to see the defence of democracy as a collective responsibility.

2027: Atiku’s ADC gaining momentum

Legit.ng reported that in June 2025, Atiku Abubakar dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined forces with other major opposition leaders, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, to form a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The alliance is expected to challenge the ruling party in the 2027 general elections.

Read more about Atiku, El-Rufai, ADC here:

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2027 election: Atiku levels fresh allegation against APC, Tinubu’s govt, “vicious circle”

“ADC will take over power,” Atiku declares

In another development, Legit.ng reported that Atiku Abubakar assured that the newly adopted coalition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), will challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Atiku stated this recently and maintained that Nigeria “can never be a one-party state,” hence the need for the ADC to unseat Tinubu and the ruling APC in 2027.

Source: Legit.ng