Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who ius also the 2027 Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has warned the federal government to ensure that nothing happens to former Anambra state Governor and Presidential candidate of National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi.
This was as Atiku expressed serious concern over the Presidency’s response to Obi’s public comments with personal insults and derogatory language rather than the restraint expected of a democratic government.
He therefore warned that reducing political engagement to name-calling demeans the Office of the President and risks inflaming an already tense political atmosphere.
Atiku, who stated these in a statement by Phrank Shaibu, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, stressed that the safety of every opposition leader is a constitutional obligation of the Nigerian state and a test of its democratic credentials.
In the words of Atiku; “The Presidency must understand that democratic leadership demands composure, not contempt. 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 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. 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 emphasised
The former Vice President therefore cautioned that nothing must happen to Peter Obi, stressing that “an injury to one is an injury to all. When one opposition leader is intimidated, every opposition voice is diminished. When a citizen begins to fear because of his political beliefs, democracy itself becomes the casualty”.
Atiku also reiterated his call for the release of former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that the true measure of any democracy is not how comfortable those in power wield authority, but how safely those outside power can exercise their constitutional rights.
The former Vice President warned that history has never been kind to governments that elevate political combat above the welfare and security of their citizens.
In the words of Atiku; “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.
“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,” he stated.
Atiku further said that history would not remember how fiercely a government fought its critics, but whether it protected its citizens, upheld justice, rescued the vulnerable and preserved the democracy entrusted to its care.
Commenting on El-Rufai, Atiku pointedly said; “The continued detention of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has generated widespread public concern. 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 applications,” he stressed.
It would be recalled that Mr Peter Obi, had during a recent interview, said he may not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election as a result of the frustration he was being made to experience by the government.
