Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the safety of opposition figures, declaring that “nothing must happen” to Peter Obi while also calling for the release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Atiku said the strength of any democracy is measured not by how those in power exercise authority, but by how securely political opponents and ordinary citizens are able to enjoy their constitutional rights.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president warned against prioritising political battles over addressing Nigeria’s pressing security challenges.
Quoting a traditional proverb, Atiku said, “Our elders say: ‘When the drums of injustice beat for your neighbour, do not dance, for tomorrow they may beat for you.’ Every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, has a stake in defending the democratic space.”
He added, “Nothing must happen to Peter Obi. Release Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. Bring home every abducted schoolchild, every teacher and every innocent Nigerian still languishing in the hands of kidnappers. Stop chasing political opponents and start confronting the crises that are bleeding our nation.”
According to Atiku, history will judge governments not by how aggressively they confront their critics but by their commitment to protecting citizens, upholding justice, rescuing the vulnerable and safeguarding democracy.
He maintained that ensuring the safety of opposition leaders is a constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian state and a key test of its democratic credentials.
“Nothing must happen to Peter Obi. An injury to one is an injury to all. When one opposition leader is intimidated, every opposition voice is diminished. When one citizen begins to fear because of his political beliefs, democracy itself becomes the casualty,” the statement read.
Atiku’s remarks followed recent comments by Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, who said he might not be alive to contest next year’s presidential poll.
The former vice president also criticised the Presidency for responding to Obi’s remarks with what he described as personal attacks and derogatory language instead of the restraint expected of a democratic government.
He warned that reducing political discourse to name-calling diminishes the dignity of the Presidency and could further heighten political tensions across the country.
