Nothing must happen to Peter Obi, El-Rufai, Atiku issues strong warning to Tinubu

Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has warned that the true test of any democracy is not how comfortably those in power exercise authority but how safely those outside government can enjoy their constitutional rights.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku insisted that nothing must happen to Peter Obi, saying the safety of every opposition leader is a constitutional obligation of the Nigerian state and a measure of its democratic credentials.

“Nothing must happen to Peter Obi. An injury to one is an injury to all. 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,” he said.

Atiku expressed concern over the Presidency’s response to Obi’s recent comments, accusing the government of resorting to personal attacks instead of exercising restraint expected in a democracy.

According to him, responding to political criticism with insults diminishes the Office of the President and risks escalating political tension.

“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,” Atiku stated.

The former Vice President maintained that no government should treat political opposition as an enemy.

“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,” he said.

Atiku noted that while Nigerians continue to endure economic hardship and worsening insecurity, many families are still waiting for loved ones abducted by criminal gangs to return home.

“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 urged the Federal Government to focus on rescuing all kidnapped Nigerians and restoring public confidence in national security.

Atiku also renewed his call for the immediate release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that justice must be rooted in fairness, impartiality and respect for constitutional rights.

“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 application,” he said.

He further urged the government to address public concerns through transparency and accountability rather than political distractions.

“Public confidence is not restored through insults or propaganda. It is restored through openness, accountability and the courage to answer legitimate questions. Governments earn trust by confronting controversy with facts, strengthening institutions and demonstrating that no one is above scrutiny.”

Atiku warned that history would judge governments not by how fiercely they confronted political opponents but by how well they protected citizens and upheld democratic values.

“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.

“History will not remember how fiercely a government fought its critics. It will remember whether it protected its citizens, upheld justice, rescued the vulnerable and preserved the democracy entrusted to its care,” Atiku said.

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