₦airaland Forum

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that Nigeria risks sliding into the 2027 general election under a climate of repression, arguing that persistent crackdowns on dissent threaten the prospects of free and fair polls.

Atiku made the warning while reacting to the arrest of Abubakar Salim Musa, a young Nigerian whose detention was disclosed on Sunday evening by Amnesty International Nigeria via its official X handle, @AmnestyNigeria.

The concerns were contained in a statement by the former Vice President, on Monday, in which he accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of increasingly resorting to intimidation and arrests to silence criticism rather than addressing governance failures.

“This case is yet another stark example of the repressive nature of the President Bola Tinubu administration, which continues to bare its fangs against dissent, whether expressed through public protests or online criticism.

“Abubakar’s only ‘offense’ was his consistent and legitimate criticism of the deteriorating security situation in Northern Nigeria and across the country,” Atiku said.

Citing Amnesty International, the former Vice President said the charges against Musa lacked credibility and reflected a broader misuse of state institutions to suppress opposing views.

“Rather than address these serious concerns, the government’s response has been to arrest him and subject him to what Amnesty describes as ‘bogus charges and a sham trial.

“Numerous Nigerians, including journalists, schoolchildren, entertainers, and even National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have faced arrest, assault, and intimidation by the police and other security agencies simply for criticizing the President or members of his family.

“This dangerous trend undermines the very foundations of democracy, which rest on the protection of fundamental human rights and freedom of expression.

“Nigeria cannot claim to be part of the free world while its citizens are routinely arrested, assaulted, and intimidated for voicing criticism of their government.

“As the nation approaches a critical general election, neither the people nor the opposition can operate effectively in an atmosphere of fear and repression.

“I therefore call on the Tinubu administration to immediately and unconditionally release Abubakar Salim Musa and all others detained for exercising their constitutional rights.

“I urge the international community, particularly countries and organizations that champion democracy and human rights, to hold the Tinubu regime accountable and demand an end to these violations.

“I encourage fellow patriots, civil society groups, and all Nigerians of conscience to join this demand and stand firmly against any further erosion of our freedoms,” Atiku said.

press9jatv:
just let Fubara breathe

press9jatv:
Nothing happens here. If Wike is been sacked , Tinubu will win his Reelection bid. Fubara will win his Reelection bid too.

Osiris12:
Make person show us tinubu picture inside in primary or secondary schools

The Rivers State House of Assembly has raised the alarm over alleged attempts by certain individuals to approach High Courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to obtain ex-parte orders intended to hinder the Assembly from discharging its constitutional functions.


The alarm raised by the Assembly follows the impeachment process it initiated against Governor Sim Fubara.

In a statement issued on Sunday, signed by Dr. Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions, and Complaints, the Assembly indicated that it had received credible intelligence regarding the purported schemes.


The statement reads: “The Rivers State House of Assembly has received information of plots by certain persons to utilize some Rivers State High Courts especially outside the Port Harcourt Judicial division to issue exparte orders to illegally stop the Rivers State House of Assembly from performing her constitutional duties.

“These persons are tully aware of the provisions of section 272(5) of the constitution which states that ‘subject to the provisions of section 251 and other provisions of the constitution, the Federal High Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the question as to whether the term of office of a member of the House of Assembly of a state, Governor or Deputy Governor has ceased or become vacant’.


“Also, section 188(10) states that ‘no proceedings or determination of the panel or of the House of Assembly or any matter relating to such proceedings or determination shall be entertained or questioned in any court’.

“These persons are also fully aware of judicial pronouncements on this matter especially recently at the Court of Appeal on a matter involving similar exparte order by a Rivers State High Court contrary to section 272(3) of the constitution.

“A word is enough for the wise.


Therefore, with the leave of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I call on those concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from acts inimical to the Constitution and the rule of law.”

“All that is required is for the office holders who have already been duly served with the Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct to respond to them item by item rather than deploy subterranean moves to subvert the law or use proxies to malign members and the Rivers State House of Assembly in the media.

“We remain committed to the Constitution and the rule of law and may God bless our dear Rivers State and Nigeria.”

MICHEALADEX:
But I heard Igbo bow to nobody except God... Lol


You people are so predictable

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said it is impossible for a leader to reign forever.

Wike, who spoke on Saturday in Port Harcourt, during a ‘thank-you visit’, said when the time comes, he will cease to be a leader.

“We should also know that today, I’m a leader. Tomorrow will be your own turn too. No one will be a leader forever. It is not possible. God can never allow that.

“People are saying ‘Wike is a leader’ as of today. Yes, but it can never be forever, man come, man goes. Everybody has his own turn and everybody has his own time,” he said.

The minister also thanked Port Harcourt residents for supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

He urged them not to hesitate in supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid, stressing how Rivers State has benefited from the administration.

WesleyPepper:
This pandora clown is so slavish and lacks confidence.
See him shining teeth like goat 😂😂

yarimo:
You are very good at posting rubbish

Richtaiwo:
At least this agrees that when he was around, there was a president, contrary to what clowns always say that we don't have a president.

The people screaming day and night are always the first to shout "we don't want him in Nigeria" whenever the news of his landing get to them.

yarimo:
Only unfortunate bitter ones will have time to read all this long rubbish. Thank God I didn't read it

Nigeria without a President!

Where is Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABATthese days?

He appears to have vanished entirely from public view!

lomaxx:
The president is obviously weak.

BlackViper:
Eeya Kemetian. So this is how you intend to cope with the Pro Max economic instability plan of APC for 2026? Pèlé my dear😊

Alliswell248:
Mr 22 years old that does not know his left from right.
He was made defending bitter peter his life ambition.
Sore losers

DomPerignon:
Nigeria is not US and if we decided to have even a km set back its fine by me.

Same US allows gays to get married, should we now accept gay marriages because they are legal and protected by US law?

There are a thousand and one things better to discus than the setback on coastal highway which you obidients have been opposed to since its inception and ongoing construction.

Go and focus on your SE. Last I checked Coastal highway is not passing through your SE nor is it taking up any of your lands. And the people of SS all resoundingly support this project.

Your opinions, rants and frustrations this landmark project is irrelevant and not be welcomed.

Face your SE.

MaziObinnaokija:
FUBU won't hear till some people push him to DESTRUCTION