Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to cease his administration’s attacks on media outlets and civil society organizations and instead focus on combating terrorism in the country.
Atiku criticized the Tinubu administration on Tuesday, denouncing what he described as harassment of media organizations and civil society groups, which he claimed exceeds the repression experienced during Nigeria’s military rule.
He specifically highlighted Monday’s actions against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) as deeply concerning.
“The escalating assault on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration is profoundly disturbing,” Atiku stated. He further noted that “the level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.”
Atiku pointed to the recent arrest of Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, who was detained on his way to an official event, as emblematic of what he called a “relentless campaign to intimidate and subdue organized labor.” He also referenced the recent detention of a journalist by security forces, which was later dismissed as a mistake. “What if the outcome had been fatal?” he questioned.
Atiku condemned the government’s move against SERAP as “a grave affront to our democratic values.” He described these actions as a “siege” that contradicts the principles of freedom and justice.
He emphasized the need for Tinubu and his security agencies to redirect their efforts toward addressing the real threats to Nigerian society — terrorists and bandits who are causing immense suffering among the people.
