On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the ongoing political crises in Lagos and Osun states.
Atiku accused the APC of being behind the violence and chaos surrounding the upcoming local government elections in Osun State. He said the ruling party was willing to use any means, including violence, to hold onto power.
In a statement posted via his verified X handle, Atiku remarked, “In Osun State, the APC orchestrated a full-scale assault on the democratic process, attempting to hijack the local government elections through brute force. Armed thugs and mercenaries, operating under the party’s protection, launched an audacious bid to seize control of all 30 local government area council secretariats.”
He continued, “And yet, the so-called national leadership of the APC and the presidency watched in complicit silence. Had it not been for the fearless resistance of Osun people—who stood their ground against the APC’s rampaging foot soldiers—democracy in the state would have been trampled under the boots of political marauders acting at the behest of their party’s overlords.”
Atiku also urged security agencies, who are set to be deployed for the elections, to resist being used as tools to enforce the APC’s agenda and instead act with professionalism to protect the people’s rights.
“These are dangerous times. The APC has abandoned any pretense of democratic legitimacy, resorting instead to brute force in its bid to cling to power—even as the people have overwhelmingly rejected it. We commend the brave citizens of Osun for standing up to the tyranny that sought to break them,” Atiku said.
He added, “Tinubu’s APC has left no doubt—it will stop at nothing to subvert democracy and impose itself against the will of the people. But Nigerians must resist. The time-honored warning remains true: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
Atiku’s remarks come after he also called on President Tinubu to refrain from interfering in state matters, urging him to cease what he described as reckless acts of political sabotage. “The people demand governance, not chaos,” Atiku concluded. “Nigerians will not sit idly while their democracy is hijacked by a power-drunk regime intent on setting the country on fire.”
