…Raises fresh questions over Tinubu’s certificate, invokes Constitution’s Section 137(1)(j)
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies and the administration of President Bola Tinubu against militarising the Osun governorship election or using state institutions to gain partisan advantage.
Mr Atiku issued the warning on Tuesday while speaking at the ADC National Youth Leadership Summit in Abuja, where he described the Osun election as a test of Nigeria’s ability to conduct credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He expressed concern over the scale and posture of security deployment around the election, saying it appeared more suited to a war situation than a democratic exercise.
“Elections are civil engagements, not military operations. Ballot papers are not bullets. Voters are not enemy combatants. Opposition members are not insurgents,” Atiku said.
He questioned why similar security resources were not being deployed against terrorists, kidnappers and bandits responsible for killing Nigerians and attacking communities.
The former vice president also warned INEC against what he described as “mysterious glitches, unexplained delays or manipulation” during the election.
He demanded the timely deployment of electoral materials, unhindered voting, transparent counting and credible transmission of results.
“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.
“The world is watching Osun. Nigerians are watching. History is taking notes. Let the people vote. Let every vote count. And let the will of the people prevail.”
Atiku also renewed his questions over the certificate President Bola Tinubu submitted to INEC in connection with his educational records at Chicago State University (CSU).
