Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to guarantee the safety of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while also demanding the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai.
Atiku’s statement comes amid growing political tension following recent claims by Peter Obi that he fears for his safety under the current administration and concerns over the continued detention of el-Rufai by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In a statement issued on Thursday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku warned that democracy is endangered when opposition politicians are intimidated or prevented from exercising their constitutional rights.
According to him, the protection of opposition figures is not a political favour but a constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian government.
“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,” Atiku said.
“When one citizen begins to fear because of his political beliefs, democracy itself becomes the casualty.”
‘Government Should Reassure, Not Attack Critics’
The former Vice President criticised the Presidency’s response to Peter Obi’s recent comments, arguing that a democratic government should respond with maturity, facts and reassurance rather than personal attacks.
According to Atiku, governments strengthen democracy through dialogue and responsible leadership, not by insulting those who express concerns.
“The Presidency must understand that democratic leadership demands composure, not contempt,” he stated.
“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.”
He further argued that criticism of government should never be treated as an act of hostility.
“The opposition is not the enemy of Nigeria. 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,” he said.
Atiku added that any government that spends more time responding to political opponents than addressing the country’s pressing security and economic challenges risks losing public confidence.
Calls For Greater Focus On Insecurity
The former Vice President lamented the continued wave of kidnappings and insecurity across Nigeria, noting that many victims, including schoolchildren and teachers, are still being held captive.
According to him, these are the issues deserving the government’s full attention instead of prolonged political disputes.
“There are schoolchildren and teachers still waiting to be reunited with their families. There are countless innocent Nigerians languishing in the camps of kidnappers. These are the emergencies that deserve the full machinery of government—not endless political sparring with opposition figures,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to channel the same level of urgency used in responding to political issues into rescuing abducted Nigerians and restoring public confidence in national security.
Atiku Demands El-Rufai’s Release
Atiku also renewed his appeal for the release of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, insisting that every Nigerian deserves fair treatment under the law regardless of political affiliation.
He stressed that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
“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.”
The former Vice President maintained that public trust can only be restored through transparency, accountability and respect for democratic institutions.
“Public confidence is not restored through insults or propaganda. It is restored through openness, accountability and the courage to answer legitimate questions,” he added.
Concluding his statement, Atiku urged the government to prioritise protecting citizens, rescuing kidnapping victims and preserving Nigeria’s democracy rather than engaging in political battles with opposition figures.
“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,” he said.
