Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has asked the federal government to guarantee the safety of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
He has also asked for the release of Nasir el-Rufai, former
governor of Kaduna, warning that democracy is threatened when opposition
figures are intimidated.
In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Obi had accused the
federal government of deliberately frustrating his means of livelihood and
targeting opposition figures.
On Tuesday, el-Rufai’s wives held a press conference in
Abuja to appeal to President Bola Tinubu over the former governor’s ordeal in
the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission (ICPC).
In a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, his
senior special assistant on public communication, Atiku said the safety of
opposition leaders is a constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian state.
“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,” he said.
“When one citizen begins to fear because of his political beliefs, democracy itself becomes the casualty.”
‘PRESIDENCY SHOULD RESPOND WITH STATESMANSHIP NOT INSULTS’
Atiku criticised the presidency for responding to Obi’s
recent comments with what he described as personal attacks instead of the
restraint expected of a democratic government.
“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.
“Democracies are strengthened by reasoned engagement, not by
invective. A government that answers every criticism with abuse projects
insecurity, not confidence.”
The former vice-president said criticism should not be
treated as sabotage or political competition as warfare.
“The opposition is not the enemy of Nigeria,” he said.
“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.”
Atiku said many Nigerians continued to endure severe
economic hardship and worsening insecurity while victims of abduction remain in
captivity.
“There are schoolchildren and teachers still waiting to be
reunited with their families. There are countless innocent Nigerians
languishing in the camps of kidnappers,” he said.
“These are the emergencies that deserve the full machinery
of government—not endless political sparring with opposition figures.”
He urged the federal government to devote the same urgency
it applies to political communication to rescuing kidnapped Nigerians and
restoring public confidence in national security.
‘RELEASE El-RUFAI, UPHOLD DUE PROCESS’
Atiku also renewed his call for the immediate release of
el-Rufai.
“The continued detention of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has
generated widespread public concern,” he said.
“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 urged the government to address public concerns
surrounding its administration 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,” he said.
“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 by how
they protect citizens and uphold democratic values.
“Our elders say: ‘When the drums of injustice beat for your
neighbour, do not dance, for tomorrow they may beat for you,’” he added.
“Every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, has a
stake in defending the democratic space. 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.”
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