Atiku slams Tinubu, Wike over blocked PDP event in Abuja

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu's administration of undermining democratic institutions and attempting to suppress opposition parties. Abubakar specifically criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for denying the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) access to a public event center in Abuja for a candidate affirmation event.

In a statement released by the Atiku Media Office, Abubakar described the denial as an abuse of power and part of a broader strategy to weaken opposition ahead of the 2027 general election. He argued that the incident reflects a growing pattern of intolerance towards opposition parties under the current administration. "The action of Minister Wike to deny the PDP the opportunity from holding an event in line with its constitutional right represents a blatant abuse of the party’s rights and an unacceptable infringement on the freedom of association and peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution," the statement read.

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The action of Minister Wike to deny the PDP the opportunity from holding an event in line with its constitutional right represents a blatant abuse of the party’s rights and an unacceptable infringement on the freedom of association and peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

Abubakar further alleged a double standard in the application of government authority. He pointed to a recent event held by a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja without facing similar restrictions. "It was under the same leadership of Wike in the FCT that a sponsored faction of the ADC had a public event a few days ago with no one threatening them," he stated. Abubakar warned that such actions set a dangerous precedent, undermining Nigeria's democracy, the rule of law, and the integrity of the electoral process.

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It was under the same leadership of Wike in the FCT that a sponsored faction of the ADC had a public event a few days ago with no one threatening them.