Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday vehemently condemned the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, and the raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project office by the Department of State Services.
In a statement, Atiku described the actions as “disturbing” and warned that the administration’s oppressive control is reminiscent of military dictatorship.
He urged President Tinubu to redirect his security apparatus towards combating terrorism and banditry, rather than intimidating civil society and the media.
Atiku emphasized the need to protect democratic values, freedom, and justice, and called on the administration to cease actions that undermine these principles.
The former Vice-President’s statement comes amid growing concerns about the administration’s handling of civil society and the media.
Atiku, in a statement posted on his verified X account on Tuesday, warned that “the level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship”.
He also called on Tinubu and his security apparatus to “redirect their fervour and intimidation towards the actual perpetrators of violence”.
Atiku wrote: “The escalating assault on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration are profoundly disturbing. The level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.
“The recent arrest of Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, en route to an official event, epitomizes this regime’s relentless campaign to intimidate and subdue organized labour.
“Just days prior, security forces detained a journalist, only to later claim it was a grievous error. What if the outcome had been fatal?
“Now, Tinubu’s regime extends its repressive grasp to encroach upon @SERAPNigeria, an action that stands as a grave affront to our democratic values. This siege is anathema to the principles of freedom and justice.
“It is imperative that Tinubu and his security apparatus redirect their fervour and intimidation towards the actual perpetrators of violence — terrorists and bandits — who are inflicting immeasurable suffering upon the Nigerian people. -AA”
