Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned President Bola Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the judiciary against further interference in the affairs of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In an X post shortly after he emerged as the winner of the ADC presidential primary on Wednesday night, Atiku accused the ruling APC-led government of undermining opposition parties and democratic institutions.
According to Tunde Ogbeha, the returning officer for the election, Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes to defeat Rotimi Amaechi, who secured 504,117 votes.
Mohammed Hayatudeen came third with 177,120 votes.
Reacting to his victory, Atiku thanked party members for giving him the opportunity to lead the ADC into the 2027 presidential election.
“I wish to express my profound appreciation for the privilege which you have bestowed on me of leading our great party into the next elections as its presidential candidate,” he wrote.
The former vice-president said the ADC primary proved that democracy was still alive within the opposition despite what he described as attempts by the ruling party to suppress dissent.
“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 ADC,” he said.
APC RESPONSIBLE FOR DYING OPPOSITION
Atiku alleged that the APC government had engineered crises within opposition parties through the judiciary and INEC.
“As I speak, virtually all opposition political parties in the country have leadership crises engineered by the APC government, INEC and elements in the judiciary,” he said.
He also accused the government of using security agencies and anti-corruption institutions to harass opposition figures.
The former vice-president described the detention of Nasir El-Rufai as politically motivated.
“He has been in detention for three months despite court orders granting him bail,” Atiku said.
According to him, politicians facing investigations suddenly receive relief after joining the APC.
“Once a person joins the APC, the harassment ceases and the charges against them magically disappear,” he said.
Atiku added that the government and INEC were attempting to undermine the ADC coalition despite efforts to comply with legal requirements.
“Any further attempt to interfere in the affairs of the party by the presidency, INEC and judiciary will be fiercely resisted,” he warned.
“Enough is enough.”
