Former Vice President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has issued a strong warning to President Bola Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
Atiku gave the warning on Wednesday, August 12, 2027, while addressing thousands of young Nigerians who gathered at the Eagle Square Annex in Abuja for the ADC 2027 Youth Summit.
The former Vice President, who took the podium amid heightened expectations, began his address by drawing attention to what he described as the troubling security build-up ahead of the Osun governorship election.
“Before I go further,” Atiku said, “let me speak directly to INEC, the Security Agencies and the Tinubu administration about the Osun State Governorship election.”
He said the scale and posture of security deployment in the state had become a source of concern, particularly the presence of convoys, armoured vehicles and roadblocks being witnessed in the build-up to the election.
According to him, the security arrangement appeared more suited to a war situation than a democratic election.
“What we are witnessing in the build-up to that election is deeply troubling. The scale and posture of security deployment make it appear as though Nigeria is preparing for war, rather than conducting an election,” he said.
Atiku stressed that elections should be treated as democratic and civil engagements rather than military operations.
“Let me remind those in authority: Elections are civil engagements, not Military operations. Ballot papers are not bullets. Voters are not enemy combatants. Opposition members are not insurgents,” he declared.
His remarks drew a strong reaction from the gathering, as the former Vice President challenged the Federal Government to explain why the level of security mobilisation being deployed for an election was not similarly being directed towards terrorists, kidnappers and bandits operating 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 said the responsibility of the nation’s security agencies in an election was straightforward — to protect voters and secure the electoral process without creating fear or an atmosphere of intimidation.
“The job of our Security Forces is clear: Protect voters, not frighten them. Secure the ballot, not create an atmosphere of siege around it,” he stated.
Turning his attention to INEC, Atiku said the Osun governorship election would serve as an important test of the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral institutions.
He warned against what he described as mysterious glitches, unexplained delays or any form of manipulation during the election.
“Osun is a test. There must be no mysterious glitches. No unexplained delays. No manipulation of the process. Election materials must arrive promptly. Accredited voters must be allowed to vote freely. Votes must be counted honestly, and results must be transmitted transparently and in accordance with the Law,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate also directly addressed the Tinubu administration, urging the President not to allow government institutions to be used to secure partisan political advantage.
“Tinubu must resist any temptation to turn Institutions of the Nigerian State into instruments of partisan advantage,” Atiku warned.
He emphasised that the security agencies and electoral commission were institutions of the Nigerian people and should not be treated as instruments of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“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 further cautioned against interpreting the ADC’s demand for a peaceful and credible election as a sign of weakness.
“And, let nobody misunderstand our demand for peaceful elections as weakness,” he said, stressing that the party was only demanding rights guaranteed to citizens by the Constitution and democratic principles.
“We are asking only for what the Constitution and democracy guarantee every Nigerian: The freedom to vote and the right to have that vote count,” he added.
He also linked the conduct of the Osun election to the credibility of the 2027 general elections, arguing that the ability of Nigeria’s institutions to deliver a free and credible election in one state would influence public confidence in the broader electoral process.
“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,” Atiku said.
He declared that the outcome and conduct of the Osun election would attract significant attention both within and outside Nigeria.
“The world is watching Osun. Nigerians are watching. History is taking notes,” he stated.
Atiku concluded his address with a direct appeal to INEC, the security agencies and the Federal Government to allow voters to freely exercise their constitutional rights and ensure that the outcome reflects the will of the electorate.
“My message to INEC, the Security Agencies and the Tinubu administration is simple: Let the people vote. Let every vote count. And let the will of the people prevail,” he said.
His remarks drew thunderous applause from the thousands of ADC supporters and young Nigerians attending the summit, as the party intensified its preparations and political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
