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Nigeria at a Crossroads: Atiku Warns of Authoritarian Drift Under Tinubu Administration

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

 

Kaduna and Katsina incidents signal democratic backsliding, says Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised alarm over what he describes as a “troubling trend towards authoritarianism” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page, Atiku cited recent events in Kaduna and Katsina as evidence of a coordinated crackdown on dissenting voices and civic freedoms.

Summons and attacks reflect coordinated repression, Atiku alleges
Atiku referenced the police summons of former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the violent attack on former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and the disruption of the Katsina Elders Forum meeting on security reforms. “These are not isolated incidents,” he wrote. “They signify a coordinated and dangerous assault on dissenting voices, civic freedoms, and the very essence of pluralistic democracy”.

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Emphasizing the importance of dissent in a democratic society, Atiku warned against the criminalization of opposition and the use of security agencies to target reformist voices. “No government that resorts to intimidation and uses security agencies as weapons against perceived opponents can genuinely uphold democratic principles,” he stated.

The former vice president expressed grave concern that Nigeria is “dangerously close to slipping into authoritarian rule” if current patterns of repression continue. He urged citizens to resist a return to an era “marked by fear, silence, and impunity”.

Atiku called on all Nigerians leaders and citizens alike to recognize the urgency of the moment. “Defending our democracy cannot be the sole responsibility of the opposition; it is a collective national duty,” he said. “Power is transient, but history will harshly judge those who wield it against the people instead of in their service”.

Concluding his statement, Atiku reminded the nation that Nigeria is a shared heritage. “We must not allow the principles of liberty, justice, and the rule of law to be undermined by partisan desperation,” he wrote. “Nigeria belongs to all of us, not just the ruling party or any single individual”.

 

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Ganduje Shelves Attempt To Establish Independent Hisbah – Dan Agundi

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The attempt for the establishment of an independent Hisbah group in Kano State has been withdrawn and suspended – Baffa Babba Dan Agundi.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Alhaji Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, who said the withdrawal of the attempt was followed by a meeting with all stakeholders across the 44 local governments held at the Tinubu campaign office on Tuesday, the 16th of December.

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The statement added that the decision was following widespread outcry that trailed the attempt to establish the independent Hisbah group and the intervention of stakeholders, especially the Kano State Government and Department of State Services, as well as the former Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to ensure peace and stability.

The statement revealed that the meeting resolved to suspend the establishment of an independent Hisbah Fisabilillah to allow the Kano State Government to look into the issues amicably.

The statement maintained that the meeting also reiterated respect for the constituted authority and resolved to cooperate with security agencies for the maintenance of law and order as well as safety in Kano State and the country at large.

 

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ICPC Confirms Receipt of Dangote Petition Against NMDPRA CEO, Vows to Launch Investigation on the Matter

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has acknowledged the receipt of a formal petition filed by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote against Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

In the petition, Dangote alleges that Ahmed engaged in economic sabotage and corrupt practices, including the purported use of $5 million in public funds to cover his children’s tuition at Swiss schools.

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The petition, submitted earlier this week, calls for an investigation into Ahmed’s conduct and alleged misuse of office. The ICPC has confirmed that the matter is under review in line with standard procedural protocols, and will investigate in due time.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to confirm that it received a formal petition today Tuesday 16th December, 2025 from Alhaji Aliko Dangote through his lawyer. The petition is against the CEO of the NMDPRA, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed.

“The ICPC wishes to state that the petition will be duly investigated,” said a statement by ICPC spokesman, John Odey.

No further statements have been released by either the ICPC or NMDPRA regarding the allegations at this time.

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None of Nigeria’s Presidents have Brigadier Generals as ADC, as the promotion of Tinubu’s ADC was shelved.

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None of Nigeria’s Presidents have Brigadier Generals as ADC, as the promotion of Tinubu’s ADC was shelved.”

The controversial plan to decorate Nurudeen Yusuf, aide-de-camp (ADC) to President Bola Tinubu, as a one-star general on Monday evening was shelved at the last minute after an intervention by two former chiefs of army staff.

Yusuf, who was only decorated as a colonel last January, was to be promoted to the rank of brigadier-general through “special presidential promotion”.

Under normal process, an officer has to be a colonel for at least four years after which he or she will attend the National Defence College (NDC) before they are considered for promotion.

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The approval to bypass the process was conveyed in a letter from the office of the national security adviser (NSA) to the Chief of army staff.

No brigadier has ever been ADC to the president of Nigeria, leading to further disquiet within the military establishment.

Ahead of the planned decoration on Monday, the minister of defence, Chris Musa — who is a retired general — and the chief of army staff, Waidi Shaibu, a lieutenant general, had cut short their visit to Lagos state and returned to the federal capital.

However, two highly respected former army chiefs eventually succeeded in persuading Tinubu to shelve the plan because of the dangers to the military establishment, TheCable learnt.

A presidential source told that the promotion is not going to happen “anytime soon”.

 

 

The cable

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