Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the reported attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti State and an alleged assault on African Democratic Congress (ADC) supporters in Sokoto State.
In a statement shared on his X handle on Saturday, Atiku described the incidents as “deeply troubling and unacceptable”, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress of using intimidation against opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He called for immediate and transparent investigations into both incidents, alleging that political enforcers and thugs linked to the ruling party were targeting opposition leaders and their supporters.
“The continued attacks on opposition figures and the unexplained disappearance of critical social media influencers are clear red flags of a dangerous slide toward a censored state where the opposition is crushed by the brute force of the current government,” Atiku said.
PUNCH Online reports that Sowore and the Ekiti State Police Command presented different accounts of an incident that occurred at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.
While the AAC presidential candidate claimed that he and his associates were attacked by government-sponsored thugs, the police maintained that their operatives rescued him following an altercation with some individuals at the restaurant.
The police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, disclosed that Sowore sustained minor injuries and was taken to the Police Hospital in Ado-Ekiti for treatment.
The state Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, subsequently directed an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
In a separate development in Sokoto State, ADC governorship candidate Manir Dan’iya condemned an alleged attack on members of the party’s women’s wing during a rally on Wednesday.
Dan’iya claimed that the procession, which reportedly involved about 5,000 women and youths, was disrupted by suspected APC supporters, leaving several women injured, vehicles damaged and valuables stolen.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed receiving information about the confrontation, saying officers were deployed to the scene and an investigation had commenced.
However, APC chieftain Bajare dismissed claims that his party was responsible, while another party leader, Abubakar Bashar, also denied allegations that APC members attacked ADC supporters.
Reacting further, Atiku alleged that the incidents demonstrated the extent to which the Tinubu administration was willing to intimidate opposition leaders and their supporters.
He also expressed concern over what he described as the unexplained disappearance of critical social media influencers.
“I have it on good authority that a local security outfit in Sokoto State has been harassing ADC supporters, manhandling citizens simply for wearing ADC merchandise,” Atiku said.
The former Vice-President urged the Federal Government to avoid actions aimed at silencing opposition voices and ensure a free, fair and competitive electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We shall resist every ongoing attempt to cancel political opposition in Nigeria. The ruling APC has failed in its mandate. Nigerians must be allowed to freely participate in an electoral contest that will determine the fate of this administration,” he added.
