•Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai and Tinubu
Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has cautioned that the safety of opposition leaders is a critical test of Nigeria’s democratic credentials, warning that “nothing must happen” to Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai.
In a statement issued today in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the true measure of democracy lies not in how those in power exercise authority but in how securely those outside government can enjoy their constitutional rights.
He argued that any form of intimidation against opposition figures weakens democratic values and urged the federal government to guarantee the safety of all political actors, regardless of party affiliation, reports Daily Independent.
According to him, the presidency’s response to recent comments made by Peter Obi through personal attacks and derogatory remarks falls short of the standards expected in a democratic society.
Atiku maintained that governments should respond to criticism with facts, restraint and responsible leadership rather than insults, adding that political disagreement should never be treated as an act of hostility.
He also urged the government to focus on pressing national challenges, including insecurity, poverty, hunger, corruption and the growing wave of kidnappings across the country.
The former vice president lamented the continued abduction of schoolchildren, teachers and other Nigerians by criminal gangs, stressing that rescuing victims and restoring public confidence in national security should take precedence over political disputes.
Atiku further renewed his call for the immediate release of Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that every Nigerian deserves due process, equal protection under the law and the presumption of innocence.
He warned against any perception of selective justice, saying the integrity of the nation’s legal system depends on fairness and adherence to constitutional principles.
The ADC presidential candidate also called on the federal government to address public concerns surrounding its administration with transparency and accountability instead of engaging in what he described as unnecessary political distractions.
He concluded by urging the government to prioritise the protection of citizens, uphold justice and safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, warning that history would judge leaders by how well they protected lives and strengthened democratic institutions rather than how aggressively they confronted political opponents.
