Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has warned against the militarisation of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, urging security agencies and electoral authorities to remain neutral and protect the democratic process.
Atiku spoke in Abuja while addressing the ADC National Youth Leadership Summit, where he described the August 15 governorship election as a critical test of Nigeria’s preparedness to conduct credible elections ahead of the 2027 general election.
The former vice-president expressed concern over what he described as the scale and posture of security deployment ahead of the poll, arguing that the approach appeared more suited to a military operation than a democratic election.
“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 the rationale behind deploying significant security resources for an election while terrorists, kidnappers and bandits continue to attack communities across the country.
According to him, security agencies should focus their capabilities on protecting Nigerians from criminal and terrorist threats rather than intimidating political opponents.
‘Police, Military Belong To Nigeria’
Atiku warned the police, military and other state institutions against being used to influence the outcome of the election or intimidate opposition supporters.
“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.
He urged security agencies to maintain professionalism and neutrality throughout the electoral process, stressing that all political parties and candidates should be allowed to participate without intimidation.
The ADC presidential candidate also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that election materials reach polling units on time and that eligible voters are able to cast their ballots without obstruction.
He cautioned INEC against what he described as “mysterious glitches, unexplained delays or manipulation,” urging the commission to ensure transparent accreditation, voting, counting and transmission of results.
“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,” he said.
READ ALSO: Osun Election: Atiku Demands Urgent BVAS Security Audit
Atiku’s comments come amid heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s election, with political parties and candidates accusing one another of activities capable of undermining the electoral process.
Security preparations have also intensified, with the Nigeria Police Force warning political parties and their supporters against thuggery, voter intimidation, vote buying and other electoral offences.
The police have additionally barred Amotekun, vigilante groups, hunters’ associations and other non-state security outfits from participating in election security operations.
Atiku Promises Greater Youth Participation
Beyond the Osun election, Atiku used the youth summit to outline his plans for greater participation by young Nigerians in politics.
He pledged that at least 30 per cent of legislative candidates under his political programme would be below the age of 40, with a significant number below 30.
The former vice-president urged young Nigerians to move beyond expressing political frustration on social media and become actively involved in political organisation and electoral processes.
“Anger is not an organisation. A hashtag is not an organisation. Your time is not tomorrow. Your time is now,” he said.
Atiku maintained that meaningful political change would require young Nigerians to participate directly in political structures and elections rather than limiting their engagement to online activism.
His comments came as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, with the ADC positioning itself as part of the opposition political movement seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.
For Atiku, however, the immediate priority remains the conduct of a credible Osun election, which he described as an important opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate that its electoral institutions can protect the will of voters.