Atiku Condemns Sowore, ADC Attacks; Warns Against 2027 Election Violence

• Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar condemned recent attacks on opposition figures in Ekiti and Sokoto states.
• He accused the ruling APC of intimidating rivals ahead of the 2027 general elections and called for investigations.
• Omoyele Sowore, AAC presidential candidate, reported an attack in Ekiti, while ADC supporters were allegedly assaulted during a rally in Sokoto.
• Police confirmed investigations into both incidents, though accounts of the Ekiti attack conflict and APC chieftains denied involvement in Sokoto.
• Abubakar warned that these incidents, alongside the disappearance of social media influencers, signal a dangerous move towards a censored state.

He declared a firm resolve to resist any ongoing efforts to eliminate political opposition in Nigeria, emphasizing that the ruling APC has not fulfilled its mandate.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned recent assaults targeting opposition figures and their supporters, characterizing the incidents as "deeply troubling and unacceptable." In a statement shared on his X platform this past Saturday, Abubakar specifically highlighted an attack on Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), in Ekiti State, alongside a separate incident involving members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State. He directly accused the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating these acts of intimidation against political rivals in the lead-up to Nigeria's 2027 general elections.

Abubakar further demanded swift and transparent investigations into these occurrences, asserting that individuals acting as political enforcers and thugs, allegedly aligned with the ruling party, are deliberately targeting leaders and adherents of opposition movements. He articulated grave concerns, stating that the persistent attacks on opposition figures, coupled with the unexplained disappearances of influential social media personalities, signal a perilous trajectory towards a state where dissent is suppressed by the government's overwhelming power. This, he warned, could lead to a censored environment where opposition is effectively crushed.

The incident involving Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti State has been met with differing narratives from the parties involved. PUNCH Online reported that on a Friday, Sowore and the Ekiti State Police Command provided contradictory versions of events following an altercation at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti. The AAC presidential candidate alleged that he and his companions were assaulted by thugs sponsored by the government.

Conversely, the police presented an account stating that their operatives intervened to rescue Sowore after a confrontation with several individuals at the establishment. According to police spokesperson Sunday Abutu, Sowore sustained a minor injury and was subsequently transported to the Police Hospital in Ado-Ekiti for medical attention. Following this, the state Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, initiated an inquiry to ascertain the full circumstances of the incident and identify all participants.

In Sokoto State, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) also reported a significant incident of political violence. Manir Dan’iya, the ADC governorship candidate, publicly denounced an alleged assault on female members of his party's women’s wing during a rally held on Wednesday. Dan’iya claimed that a procession comprising approximately 5,000 women and youths was violently disrupted by individuals suspected to be supporters of the APC.

This disruption, he detailed, resulted in injuries to several women, damage to vehicles, and the theft of various valuables. The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed its awareness of the confrontation, stating that officers were dispatched to the scene and an investigation is currently underway. However, two prominent APC chieftains in the state, Bajare and Abubakar Bashar, both refuted the allegations, denying any involvement of their party members in the attack on ADC supporters.

Reacting to the cumulative effect of these incidents, Atiku Abubakar asserted that the attacks underscore the extent to which the current Tinubu administration is prepared to intimidate opposition leaders and their followers. He reiterated his concerns regarding the unexplained disappearance of critical social media influencers, cautioning that these developments could signify a dangerous slide towards a state of censorship. Abubakar specifically cited information indicating that a local security outfit in Sokoto State has been harassing ADC supporters, reportedly manhandling citizens merely for wearing ADC merchandise.

The former Vice-President urged the Federal Government to cease all attempts to silence dissenting political voices and to instead guarantee a truly free, fair, and competitive electoral process for the upcoming 2027 elections. He declared a firm resolve to resist any ongoing efforts to eliminate political opposition in Nigeria, emphasizing that the ruling APC has not fulfilled its mandate. Abubakar concluded by stressing the imperative for Nigerians to be allowed unfettered participation in an electoral contest that will ultimately determine the future of the current administration.

Lawyers advising political parties, candidates, or human rights organizations in Nigeria should monitor these reported incidents of political violence and intimidation, as they may form the basis for legal challenges concerning electoral integrity, freedom of assembly, and the protection of political rights ahead of the 2027 elections. Compliance officers should assess the escalating political risk and potential for instability or human rights abuses for clients operating within the Nigerian political landscape.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Online