Atiku Demands Immediate Release Of Critic From Government Detention

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to immediately and unconditionally release Abubakar Salim Musa, a social media critic of President Bola Tinubu administration.

Atiku made the call in a statement shared on his verified X handle on Monday, condemning what he described as a “growing pattern of repression” under the current government.

Musa, known on X as @AM_Saleeeem, was reportedly arrested on January 11, 2026, and is being detained at Keffi Prison in Nasarawa State, according to Amnesty International (AI) Nigeria. The rights organisation, in a post on Sunday, said Musa’s detention was arbitrary and that he was facing a “sham trial based on bogus charges.”

The group stated, “Abubakar Salim Musa has been remanded at Keffi Prison ahead of plans to put him through a sham trial based on bogus charges. What Salim is going through shows that the right of young people to freedom of expression in Nigeria is increasingly threatened.

“A lot of young Nigerians have come under attacks, ranging from threats to arrests, illegal detention, and harassment, all for simply expressing their opinions online. Salim did not commit any crime, and the harassment he is facing is clearly aimed at silencing him.”

Reacting to the development, Atiku said Musa’s only “offence” was his consistent criticism of the worsening security situation in Northern Nigeria and across the country.

“Musa’s arrest is yet another disturbing example of the Tinubu administration baring its fangs against dissent, whether expressed through public protests or online criticism,” Atiku said.

He accused the Federal Government of responding to legitimate concerns with intimidation rather than action, stressing that Amnesty International had already described the charges as “bogus” and the process as “a sham trial.”

According to Atiku, the incident reflected a wider pattern of intolerance toward dissent.

“This case is not isolated,” he said. “Several Nigerians, including journalists, entertainers, schoolchildren, and members of the National Youth Service Corps have been arrested, assaulted, or intimidated for criticising the President or members of his family.”

The former Vice President warned that such actions erode the core values of democracy. “This dangerous trend undermines the very foundations of democracy, which rest on the protection of fundamental human rights and freedom of expression,” he said.

He added that Nigeria could not claim to uphold democratic ideals “while citizens are routinely arrested, assaulted and intimidated for voicing criticism of their government.”

With the next general election approaching, Atiku cautioned that sustained repression would stifle opposition voices and civic participation.
“As the nation approaches a critical general election, neither the people nor the opposition can operate effectively in an atmosphere of fear and repression,” he warned.

He urged President Tinubu’s administration to release Musa and others detained for exercising their constitutional rights.

Atiku also called on the international community to take notice, saying, “Countries and organisations that claim to stand for democracy and human rights must hold the Tinubu regime accountable and demand an end to these violations.”

“I encourage fellow patriots, civil society groups and Nigerians of conscience to join this demand and stand firmly against any further erosion of our freedoms,” he added.