“If Tinubu Believes He Deserves Another Mandate, Let Him Earn it at The Ballot Box,”- Paul Ibe

The Media Adviser to former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly using state institutions to intimidate and weaken opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ibe made the allegation in a statement on Friday while commenting on the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, which he said had reached 200 days as of September 4, 2026.

According to him, El-Rufai was not demanding immunity from investigation but was entitled to justice, due process and equal treatment under the law.

He questioned what he described as the different treatment being given to opposition politicians compared with members of the ruling APC.

Ibe also contrasted El-Rufai’s situation with that of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who, according to him, remains politically active despite facing an ongoing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“Nobody should be above the law. But neither should the law become a political weapon,” Ibe said.

The Atiku aide alleged that institutions including the police, EFCC, ICPC and elements within the judiciary were being used to mount pressure on opposition figures as the 2027 elections draw closer.

He maintained that President Bola Tinubu and the APC should campaign based on their record and allow Nigerians to freely decide who should lead the country.

“If Tinubu believes he deserves another mandate, let him earn it at the ballot box,” Ibe said, stressing that opposition politicians should be defeated by voters rather than through intimidation, detention or prolonged litigation.

He warned that the use of state power to weaken political opponents could pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

According to Ibe, a government confident in its popularity should not fear a strong opposition, adding that democracy goes beyond conducting elections and must guarantee a genuinely free and competitive political environment.

He insisted that the outcome of the 2027 general elections must be determined by Nigerians and not by what he described as the machinery of government.