Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has asked the Federal Government to immediately release Abubakar Salim Musa, a social media critic who was recently arrested.

Atiku made the call in a post on his verified X account, describing Musa’s detention as part of a worrying pattern of limiting free speech in Nigeria. His remarks follow a statement by Amnesty International Nigeria that Musa was arrested on January 11, 2026, and remanded at Keffi Prison ahead of a planned trial. Amnesty said Musa’s case shows that freedom of expression for young Nigerians is under threat.

Atiku said Musa’s only “offence” was criticising the worsening security situation in parts of the country. He condemned the arrest as an attempt to silence dissent, saying that using arrests to stop people from speaking up undermines democracy. Atiku also said many Nigerians — including journalists and ordinary citizens — have been arrested or intimidated for expressing their opinions online.

The former vice president warned that limiting free speech will make it difficult for citizens and opposition voices to operate freely, especially as Nigeria approaches a general election period. He urged the government to unconditionally release Musa and others detained for exercising their constitutional rights. Atiku also appealed to international human rights groups and democratic nations to support efforts to protect freedom of expression in Nigeria.