Atiku rejects blockade of PDP event, says tactics to suppress opposition will fail

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a fresh attack on President Bola Tinubu and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, accusing the administration of using state power to constrain opposition parties and distort the political environment ahead of the 2027 general election. The allegation followed the refusal of authorities to allow the Peoples Democratic […]

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a fresh attack on President Bola Tinubu and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, accusing the administration of using state power to constrain opposition parties and distort the political environment ahead of the 2027 general election.

The allegation followed the refusal of authorities to allow the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) use a public facility in Abuja for the affirmation of its presidential candidate.

Atiku described the move as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

In a statement issued on Saturday through his media office, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said the development reflected a growing pattern of official actions aimed at limiting the activities of opposition parties across the country.

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He argued that denying a recognised political party access to a venue for a lawful gathering amounted to a violation of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of association and peaceful assembly.

“The action of Minister Wike to deny the PDP the opportunity from holding an event in line with its constitutional right represents a blatant abuse of the party’s rights and an unacceptable infringement on the freedom of association and peaceful assembly,” the statement said.

Atiku contended that public infrastructure and facilities should remain accessible to all citizens and political organisations regardless of partisan affiliation.

He warned that selective access could erode confidence in democratic institutions.

According to him, the decision by the FCT Administration was discriminatory and suggested official interference in partisan politics.

The former vice president also alleged that similar actions had been taken against opposition groups in recent months.

He claimed that there was a deliberate effort to reduce the visibility and operational space of parties challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He cited the “differing treatment of political groups in Abuja” and alleged that another faction of the ADC recently held a public event without facing comparable restrictions.

“It was under the same leadership of Wike in the FCT that a sponsored faction of the ADC had a public event a few days ago with no one threatening them,” he said.

Atiku warned that such actions could damage the credibility of future elections and weaken democratic competition if left unchecked.

“This high-handed action is consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s emerging pattern of deploying state institutions and resources to frustrate political opposition and weaken the democratic process in the build-up to the 2027 presidential election,” he stated.

The former presidential candidate further accused the administration of attempting to create an uneven political field by allegedly deploying government structures against rival parties.

He maintained that Nigerians remained committed to democratic principles and would resist any effort to suppress legitimate political participation.

“The Tinubu government is afraid of free and fair elections and their tactics to suppress the opposition will not succeed,” the statement added.

Calling for an immediate reversal of the decision, Atiku urged the FCT Administration to guarantee equal access to public and private facilities for all political parties conducting lawful activities.

He also appealed to civil society groups, democratic institutions and other stakeholders to oppose what he termed a creeping threat to democratic freedoms.