ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned against moves to suspend political campaigns in parts of Northern Nigeria, cautioning that such a decision could undermine constitutional rights and fuel fears of disenfranchisement amid worsening insecurity.
Atiku’s position comes on the heels of reports that the Senate is considering halting political activities in several violence-hit states, including Borno State, Benue State and Plateau State.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, the former presidential candidate described the proposal as deeply troubling, stressing that insecurity, no matter how severe, must not be used as a pretext to restrict democratic participation.
“Let it be clearly stated that the right to vote and participate in the electoral process is fundamental and cannot be abridged under any guise.
“Any attempt whether deliberate or disguised to suppress political activities in parts of Northern Nigeria raises legitimate concerns about disenfranchisement,” he said.
Atiku warned that emerging developments appear to reinforce earlier fears of efforts to weaken electoral participation in key northern regions.
“This is not merely about campaigns; it is about representation, inclusion, and the integrity of our democratic process. You cannot cure insecurity by silencing the voices of the people. Democracy must not become a casualty of government failure,” he added.
He maintained that citizens in the North deserve both security and full democratic participation, insisting that one must not be sacrificed for the other.
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According to him, it is the responsibility of government to guarantee safety while ensuring that Nigerians can freely exercise their civic rights without fear or intimidation.
“At a time when citizens are already battling hardship and insecurity, the least the government can do is to guarantee their right to be heard—not to restrict it. Any policy that creates the impression of targeted exclusion will only deepen distrust and national division,” he warned.
Atiku further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to clarify their positions and reassure Nigerians that no part of the country would be denied its constitutional rights.
The controversy follows growing anxiety within the National Assembly over deteriorating security conditions, particularly across the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.
Last week, Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central urged the Senate to consider sweeping emergency measures, including suspending political activities in frontline states worst hit by insurgency and banditry.
Raising a point of order during plenary, Ningi said: “Mr President, we cannot continue to think that because we are in Abuja, therefore this thing (insecurity) does not affect us.
“One of the things that we must do is either to suspend all political activities across this country or look at the frontline states of Borno, Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi and some parts of Kano. We need to suspend activities in these states until we are sufficiently certain that the insecurity challenges are over.
“This is because we are not dealing with this insecurity issue at all. And I am not blaming anybody. We cannot come here every time to lament.”
The proposal reflects mounting concern over renewed attacks by insurgents, including coordinated assaults on military formations and persistent threats to civilians in affected regions.
But Atiku insists that any response to insecurity must strengthen not weaken Nigeria’s democratic process, warning that silencing political participation could create deeper divisions at a critical moment in the nation’s electoral cycle.