ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to guarantee the safety of opposition leaders, saying that Peter Obi’s security is the constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian government.
Atiku also renewed his demand for the release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that democratic governance must be measured by how well political opponents are protected rather than how power is exercised.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president warned that governments which prioritise political battles over the welfare and security of citizens often earn unfavourable judgments from history.
Reacting to recent comments by Obi suggesting he might not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election, Atiku maintained that no harm must come to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate.
“Nothing must happen to Peter Obi,” he said, adding that intimidation of one opposition leader threatens the democratic rights of all Nigerians.
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According to him, democracy suffers whenever citizens begin to fear persecution because of their political beliefs or affiliations.
Atiku criticised the Presidency’s response to Obi’s concerns, saying the government ought to have addressed the issues with restraint and reassurance instead of resorting to personal attacks.
He argued that democratic leadership demands maturity, civility and constructive engagement, warning that responding to criticism with insults portrays weakness rather than confidence.
The former vice president stressed that political opposition should never be viewed as an enemy of the state, insisting that the country’s real challenges remain insecurity, poverty, hunger, corruption and widespread kidnapping.
He said government attention should be directed toward tackling these pressing national problems instead of engaging in prolonged political confrontations with opposition figures.
According to Atiku, thousands of Nigerians, including schoolchildren, teachers and other innocent citizens, remain in captivity across different parts of the country, requiring urgent government intervention.
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He urged the Federal Government to channel the same level of urgency devoted to political communication toward rescuing kidnapped victims and restoring public confidence in national security.
Atiku also renewed his appeal for the release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, arguing that every Nigerian is entitled to due process, equal protection under the law and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court.
He warned against actions capable of creating the impression of selective justice, saying fairness and impartiality remain fundamental to the credibility of the country’s legal system.
The former vice president further urged the Tinubu administration to confront controversies surrounding its government through openness and accountability rather than political exchanges.
According to him, public trust can only be sustained when governments respond to legitimate concerns with facts, strengthen public institutions and demonstrate that no individual or institution is beyond scrutiny.
Quoting a popular proverb, Atiku reminded Nigerians that injustice tolerated against one person today could ultimately threaten everyone, urging citizens across political divides to defend democratic values and constitutional freedoms.