Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi have jointly declared that Nigeria has lost its status as a true democracy, citing widespread authoritarianism and governance failures under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Their remarks, delivered in separate but aligned statements during Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations on June 12, 2025, have sparked intense debate about the state of the nation’s democratic institutions.
Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer in the 2023 election, accused the Tinubu government of undermining Nigeria’s democratic progress, describing it as a “deliberate slide into autocracy.”
He pointed to alleged voter suppression, media clampdowns, and the manipulation of state institutions as evidence of democratic erosion.
“The spirit of June 12, which symbolizes our collective struggle for democracy, is being betrayed by those who seek to entrench power at the expense of the people,” Atiku said in a statement from Abuja.
Peter Obi echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that Nigeria lacks the hallmarks of a functioning democracy.
“A nation where citizens are silenced, poverty is weaponized, and elections lack credibility cannot claim to be democratic,” Obi stated in a televised address from Lagos.
He highlighted soaring inflation, with food prices rising over 40% since 2023, and rampant insecurity as signs of a government disconnected from its people.
Obi called for a unified effort to “reclaim Nigeria’s democracy” through constitutional adherence and transparent leadership.
The opposition leaders’ statements follow months of public frustration with Tinubu’s policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and naira devaluation, which have fueled a cost-of-living crisis.
According to a recent National Bureau of Statistics report, 65% of Nigerians now live below the poverty line, up from 40% in 2022.
Critics also point to the administration’s handling of dissent, including the arrest of activists and journalists, as evidence of shrinking civic space.
The Tinubu administration, through Information Minister Mohammed Idris, rejected the claims as “baseless and divisive.”
Idris defended the government’s reforms as essential for economic recovery and accused Atiku and Obi of exploiting public discontent for political gain.
“This administration remains committed to democratic principles and the welfare of Nigerians,” he said, citing ongoing infrastructure projects and plans to address insecurity.
Analysts see the opposition’s rhetoric as a strategic move to galvanize support ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku and Obi suggest ongoing discussions for a potential PDP-Labour Party alliance, with a unified candidate to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Political commentator Aisha Yesufu noted, “Their alignment on this issue signals a broader strategy to mobilize Nigerians disillusioned with the status quo.”
Public reactions are mixed. In Lagos, protests erupted on June 12, with citizens demanding accountability and economic relief. “We voted for change, but what we got is suffering,” said Tunde Adebayo, a trader in Alaba Market.
Meanwhile, APC supporters argue that Tinubu inherited a broken system and needs time to implement reforms.
As Nigeria navigates this political crossroads, Atiku and Obi’s warnings highlight growing concerns about democratic backsliding.
With economic challenges and political tensions mounting, the nation faces a critical test of its democratic resilience in the years ahead.
Source: Punch News
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