Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has broken his silence amid political realignments and mounting public concern, addressing the recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a strongly worded statement, Atiku reaffirmed his democratic convictions and criticized the current administration’s handling of national affairs.
In a post shared via his official social media handle, Atiku said he had been “overwhelmed with inquiries from concerned Nigerians, all eager to understand my position on the latest political shifts, particularly the defection of some PDP members to the ruling party.”
He emphasized that fundamental freedoms must remain sacrosanct in any democracy:
“Let me be unequivocal: freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights. Alongside these stand the pillars of a just and functional democratic society: the people, the rule of law, credible elections, and accountability. Undermine any of these, and democracy itself begins to crumble.”
Addressing criticism surrounding his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, Atiku argued that the backlash was steeped in hypocrisy.
“Some have resorted to insults because I visited former President Muhammadu Buhari. Let’s not rewrite history: Buhari is not only a former leader but a significant statesman in the Nigerian political landscape. During the 2013 opposition merger, the leaders of the time consulted widely — including visits to Obasanjo and Babangida. So why is it now sacrilegious for me and other leaders to visit Buhari in Kaduna? If you truly believe in freedom of association, then you must respect the rights of all political actors to engage, regardless of party lines.”
He drew attention to the double standards in how political engagements are perceived depending on who is involved:
“When PDP leaders are busy sipping tea and brokering power deals with President Tinubu, it’s called strategic alliance. But the moment I greet Peter Obi, el-Rufai, or visit Buhari, it becomes a national emergency. Hypocrisy and the politics of selective outrage have never been this fashionable!”
Atiku warned that the real political challenge ahead was not about inter-party rivalry but a national reckoning.
“Let us be clear: the coming political battle is not APC versus PDP, or LP versus APC. It is Nigerians versus an administration that has plunged the nation into untold suffering. The economy is in freefall. Inflation is choking the masses. Jobs are vanishing. Youth restiveness is surging to terrifying levels. Nigerians are not just tired — they are angry, and rightfully so.”
He concluded by urging citizens to stay focused on the issues and not be distracted by divisive tactics.
“This moment is about collective survival. The real enemy is not one another — it is the Tinubu administration’s abysmal failure. We must reject every attempt to distract us with ethnic, regional, or religious sentiments. These are tools of manipulation, designed to divide and conquer, used by those with nothing else to offer.
The Tinubu administration has no achievements to stand on, no credible record to defend. Its only strategy is chaos and division, because that’s the last refuge of the incompetent. And make no mistake— an incompetent captain does not only wreck his ship; he endangers the lives of everyone on board.”
The remarks mark one of Atiku’s most direct criticisms of the Tinubu administration to date, as Nigeria heads into what many anticipate to be a pivotal political season.
