ATIKU CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ABUBAKAR MUSA, WARNS TINUBU GOVERNMENT OF PUBLIC REACTION
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to immediately release Abubakar Salim Musa, condemning his arrest as part of what he described as an escalating clampdown on dissent in the country.
Atiku made the call in a statement issued on Monday, reacting to a report by Amnesty International Nigeria on the arrest of the young Nigerian on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
He described the incident as “yet another stark illustration of the repressive posture of the Bola Tinubu administration,” accusing the government of targeting dissenting voices, whether through public demonstrations or online criticism.
According to Atiku, Musa’s only alleged offence was his sustained criticism of the deteriorating security situation in Northern Nigeria and other parts of the country.
He said that rather than addressing the issues raised, the government chose intimidation and prosecution.
“Instead of engaging with these serious concerns, the government responded by arresting him and subjecting him to what Amnesty International has rightly described as ‘bogus charges and a sham trial,’” Atiku said.
The former vice president noted that Musa’s arrest was not an isolated case, arguing that several Nigerians had faced similar treatment for expressing dissent.
He said journalists, schoolchildren, entertainers and even National Youth Service Corps members had been arrested, assaulted or intimidated for criticising the President or members of his family.
Atiku warned that such actions pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic foundations, stressing that democracy thrives on the protection of fundamental human rights and freedom of expression.
He added that Nigeria’s democratic credentials were being steadily eroded by the continued repression of critics.
“Nigeria cannot credibly claim to be part of the free world while citizens are routinely arrested, assaulted and intimidated for voicing criticism of their government,” he said.
With general elections drawing closer, Atiku cautioned that neither the electorate nor the opposition could function effectively in an atmosphere of fear and repression.
He therefore demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Musa and others detained for exercising their constitutional rights.
Atiku also called on the Tinubu administration to end arbitrary arrests and intimidation, while urging the international community to hold the government accountable for what he described as ongoing violations.
He concluded by appealing to Nigerians and civil society groups to resist any further erosion of civil liberties and defend the country’s democratic space.
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