Atiku warns Tinubu, security agencies against turning Osun election into ‘war’

By Chris Steven

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has warned President Bola Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies against using state institutions to influence the outcome of the Osun governorship election.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the scale and posture of security deployment ahead of the election were “deeply troubling”, arguing that the exercise appeared more like a military operation than a democratic process.

He spoke on Wednesday at the ADC national youth leadership summit in Abuja.

According to Atiku, elections should be treated as civil engagements rather than military operations, stressing that voters and opposition members must not be treated as threats.

“Elections are civil engagements, not military operations. Ballot papers are not bullets. Voters are not enemy combatants. Opposition members are not insurgents,” he said.

He questioned why such a large security presence was being deployed for an election when terrorists, kidnappers and bandits continue to attack communities across the country.

“If Nigeria possesses this enormous security capacity, Nigerians are entitled to ask a simple question: why is the same overwhelming force not being deployed against the terrorists, kidnappers and bandits who are killing our people, abducting our children and driving citizens from their communities?” Atiku asked.

He called on security agencies to protect voters rather than intimidate them, insisting that their responsibility should be to secure the electoral process.

Atiku also issued a warning to INEC over the conduct of the election, saying the commission must ensure that there were no unexplained delays or manipulation.

“Osun is a test,” he said.

He demanded the prompt delivery of election materials, free access to voting for accredited voters, honest counting of ballots and transparent transmission of results in accordance with the law.

The former vice-president further cautioned the Tinubu administration against turning government institutions into instruments of partisan advantage.

“The police belong to Nigeria. The military belongs to Nigeria. INEC belongs to the Nigerian people. None of them belongs to the APC,” he said.

Atiku said a peaceful election should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness, adding that Nigerians were only demanding their constitutional right to vote and have their votes counted.

“If our institutions cannot conduct a free, fair, peaceful and transparent election in one state, Nigerians will legitimately ask what confidence they should have in the general election next year,” he said.

Beyond the Osun election, Atiku used the summit to rally young Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections, urging them to “register, organise and lead”.

He announced that under the ADC’s political programme, at least 30 percent of the party’s legislative candidates would be below the age of 40, with a significant number expected to be below 30.

Atiku said the commitment was intended to move beyond the traditional use of young people as campaign mobilisers and social media supporters without giving them meaningful political power.

He also criticised the current administration over economic hardship, unemployment and the growing number of young Nigerians leaving the country in search of opportunities abroad.

The former vice-president said the ADC would prioritise access to finance for young entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, technology founders and those in the creative economy.

He also promised greater emphasis on science, technology, vocational education, agriculture, digital skills, critical thinking and entrepreneurship.

Atiku further said his administration would treat broadband and digital connectivity as essential national infrastructure and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

The ADC presidential candidate also renewed his criticism of questions surrounding the certificate President Tinubu presented to INEC, saying discrepancies reportedly involving dates, signatures and the description of the degree should be explained.

He argued that the same standards expected of ordinary Nigerians should apply to those seeking the highest political office in the country.

Atiku concluded by urging young Nigerians to take ownership of the country’s political future, saying: “Your time is not tomorrow. Your time is now.”