By David Odama
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to ensure the safety of opposition leaders, stressing that nothing must happen to Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi or former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, said safeguarding opposition figures is both a constitutional responsibility and a vital test of Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku noted that a true democracy is judged by how safely people outside government can exercise their rights and express political views.
His comments followed concerns raised by Peter Obi, who alleged on Wednesday that opposition leaders were being harassed and feared he might not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku also referenced the detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who is facing corruption-related charges before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He criticised the Presidency for responding to Obi’s concerns with personal attacks rather than addressing the issues raised.
“Nothing must happen to Peter Obi,” Atiku warned, adding that any attack or intimidation against one opposition leader is a threat to democracy itself.
He urged the government to focus on tackling Nigeria’s pressing challenges including poverty, hunger, insecurity, corruption, and kidnapping instead of engaging in political attacks against critics. He also called for greater efforts to rescue Nigerians still in captivity and restore public confidence in the country’s security system.
The ADC presidential candidate renewed his demand for El-Rufai’s immediate release, insisting that justice must be based on fairness, due process, and the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty. He cautioned that El-Rufai’s continued detention could create the impression of selective justice and urged authorities to uphold the rule of law.
