Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the attack on the office of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, describing the incident as a dangerous threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement on Friday, the former vice-president warned that attempts to weaken the opposition had now escalated from political pressure to physical attacks on party members and destruction of property.
According to him, the incident goes beyond an attack on the ADC and represents a broader assault on democratic values in the country.
Abubakar, who served as Nigeria’s vice-president between 1999 and 2007, urged the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to prioritise the protection of opposition figures and their property.
“The protection of the lives and properties of the opposition must, as a priority, be guaranteed by the Tinubu-led administration. That is the minimum expectation of Nigerians,” he said.
The former presidential candidate also called for an independent investigation into the reported torching of the ADC secretariat in Rivers State, insisting that those responsible must be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He warned that failure to ensure accountability could embolden perpetrators and lead to further acts of violence against opposition members.
Abubakar further noted that the public was still awaiting the outcome of investigations into the recent attack on former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and other ADC leaders in Benin City, Edo State, last week.
