Atiku Abubakar
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has asked the federal government to guarantee the safety of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
He has also asked for the release of Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, warning that democracy is threatened when opposition figures are intimidated.
In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Obi had accused the federal government of deliberately frustrating his means of livelihood and targeting opposition figures.
On Tuesday, el-Rufai’s wives held a press conference in Abuja to appeal to President Bola Tinubu over the former governor’s ordeal in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, his senior special assistant on public communication, Atiku said the safety of opposition leaders is a constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian state.
“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,” he said.
“When one citizen begins to fear because of his political beliefs, democracy itself becomes the casualty.”
‘PRESIDENCY SHOULD RESPOND WITH STATESMANSHIP NOT INSULTS’
Atiku criticised the presidency for responding to Obi’s recent comments with what he described as personal attacks instead of the restraint expected of a democratic government.
“The Presidency must understand that democratic leadership demands composure, not contempt,” he said.
“When a citizen, particularly an opposition figure, voices concerns about the state of the nation or his personal safety, the first duty of government is to reassure through statesmanship, facts and responsible conduct—not through insults.
“Democracies are strengthened by reasoned engagement, not by invective. A government that answers every criticism with abuse projects insecurity, not confidence.”
The former vice-president said criticism should not be treated as sabotage or political competition as warfare.
“The opposition is not the enemy of Nigeria,” he said.
“Poverty is the enemy. Hunger is the enemy. Insecurity is the enemy. Corruption is the enemy. Kidnapping is the enemy. The daily bloodletting across our communities is the enemy
“A government that devotes more energy to attacking its critics than confronting these existential challenges has confused political survival with the purpose of governance.”
Atiku said many Nigerians continued to endure severe economic hardship and worsening insecurity while victims of abduction remain in captivity.
“There are schoolchildren and teachers still waiting to be reunited with their families. There are countless innocent Nigerians languishing in the camps of kidnappers,” he said.
“These are the emergencies that deserve the full machinery of government—not endless political sparring with opposition figures.”
He urged the federal government to devote the same urgency it applies to political communication to rescuing kidnapped Nigerians and restoring public confidence in national security.
‘RELEASE El-RUFAI, UPHOLD DUE PROCESS’
Atiku also renewed his call for the immediate release of el-Rufai.
“The continued detention of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has generated widespread public concern,” he said.
“Every Nigerian, irrespective of political affiliation, is entitled to due process, equal protection under the law and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court. Justice must never create the appearance of selective application.”
He urged the government to address public concerns surrounding its administration through transparency and accountability rather than political distractions.
“Public confidence is not restored through insults or propaganda. It is restored through openness, accountability and the courage to answer legitimate questions,” he said.
“Governments earn trust by confronting controversy with facts, strengthening institutions and demonstrating that no one is above scrutiny.”
Atiku warned that history would judge governments by how they protect citizens and uphold democratic values.
“Our elders say: ‘When the drums of injustice beat for your neighbour, do not dance, for tomorrow they may beat for you,’” he added.
“Every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, has a stake in defending the democratic space. 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. History will not remember how fiercely a government fought its critics.
“It will remember whether it protected its citizens, upheld justice, rescued the vulnerable and preserved the democracy entrusted to its care.”
TheCable
