Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described President Bola Tinubu’s administration as the biggest threat to Nigeria’s democracy since 1999. Atiku made the remarks in a post on his verified X handle on Sunday after visiting former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

Atiku said he paid a solidarity visit to El-Rufai following an attack on him by alleged APC-sponsored thugs during the inauguration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna. The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate condemned the incident and linked it to the shrinking space for opposition voices in the country.

He further alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government under Tinubu has drifted into a “full-blown dictatorship,” stressing that the current political climate endangers democratic principles. According to him, Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy is being weakened by acts of intimidation and attacks on opposition figures.

Atiku urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and committed to defending democracy. He maintained that safeguarding the freedom of speech, political participation, and the rule of law must remain a collective responsibility.