Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to ensure the safety of opposition leaders, particularly Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, warning that any attempt to intimidate political opponents would pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku, who is expected to fly the flag of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 presidential election, made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
The former vice president said safeguarding opposition figures was not optional but a constitutional responsibility of the state, stressing that democracy flourishes only when citizens can freely express their views without fear of persecution.
“Nothing must happen to Peter Obi. An injury to one is an injury to all,” Atiku said.
“When one opposition leader is intimidated, every opposition voice is diminished. When one citizen begins to fear because of his political beliefs, democracy itself becomes the casualty.”
Atiku’s remarks come against the backdrop of recent exchanges between the Presidency and Obi following criticisms of the administration of President Bola Tinubu by the former Anambra State governor.
According to Atiku, government officials should respond to concerns raised by opposition leaders through dialogue and facts rather than personal attacks.
“The presidency must understand that democratic leadership demands composure, not contempt,” he said.
“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 argued that criticism of government policies is a legitimate feature of democratic governance and should not be viewed as an attack on the state.
“Democracies are strengthened by reasoned engagement, not by invective. A government that answers every criticism with abuse projects insecurity, not confidence,” he added.
The former vice president also accused the government of paying more attention to political disputes than addressing the country’s worsening security and economic challenges.
He identified poverty, hunger, corruption, kidnapping and insecurity as the major threats facing the nation, insisting that government resources should be directed toward tackling those problems.
“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,” Atiku stated.
He further urged the authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of Nigerians still being held captive by kidnappers and criminal groups across the country.
“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.
Atiku also weighed in on the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, calling for his immediate release and warning against any perception of selective justice.
“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,” he said.
“Justice must never create the appearance of selective application.”
The ADC leader maintained that governments build public trust through transparency and accountability rather than propaganda or attacks on critics.
“Public confidence is not restored through insults or propaganda. It is restored through openness, accountability and the courage to answer legitimate questions,” he said.
He challenged the administration to focus on strengthening institutions and addressing issues of national concern instead of engaging in prolonged political confrontations.
In a direct appeal to the government, Atiku said: “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 added that future generations would judge governments not by how aggressively they confronted their opponents but by their commitment to justice, security and democratic values.
The statement followed recent comments by Peter Obi during an interview in which he expressed concerns about his safety and suggested he might not be alive to participate in the 2027 presidential election. Obi also alleged that some actions of the current administration were directed at his business interests.
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