Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) government over the extended detention of public commentator Shehu Mahdi in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kaduna State.
Mahdi was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) after he refused to take down viral videos alleging that President Tinubu approved the establishment of a French military base in northern Nigeria.
His claims followed statements made by Niger Republic’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, regarding alleged French military activities in the region.
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, dismissed the allegations as baseless.
The DSS subsequently arraigned Mahdi before Magistrate Abubakar Lamido on charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and inciting public disturbances under Kaduna State’s Penal Code Law, 2017. On December 31, 2024, a Kaduna Chief Magistrate Court ordered his remand in prison.
Reacting to Mahdi’s prolonged detention, Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 General Elections, expressed concern.
“The prolonged detention of Mahdi Shehu, a prominent voice of dissent, and others signals a worrisome shift toward authoritarian governance, where the rights of opposition voices are being suffocated,” Atiku said.
He emphasized the importance of dissent in a democracy. “It is the solemn duty of a democratic government to listen attentively to critics, engage in meaningful dialogue, and allow space for alternative viewpoints. Instead, we face chilling threats and repression,” he added.
Atiku also criticized the government’s handling of Mahdi’s case, stating, “The detention of Mallam Shehu without clear justification adds to the growing concern about the erosion of freedoms in Nigeria. The Tinubu administration’s vilification of opposition figures as mere irritants sets a dangerous precedent.”
Calling for immediate action, he urged Nigerians and stakeholders to intervene. “It is now time for all men and women of goodwill to speak out and demand that the Tinubu government recalibrate its approach to dissent and opposition. The time has come to end this stifling of voices crucial to the health of any functioning democracy,” he concluded.
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