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Nothing must happen to Obi, El-Rufai, Atiku warns presidency
Former Nigerian vice-president and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has decried the spate of political persecution of opposition figures in the country, warning that Peter Obi must not be harmed, while also calling for the release of Nasir El-Rufai who has been in detention.
He stated that those outside power should be able to exercise their constitutional rights in a true democracy, adding that government should be mored concerned about the welfare and security of its citizens, rather than elevating political combat and weaponizing state institutions against political opponents.
“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,” Atiku said.
Atiku disclosed in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, that the safety of political opponents and opposition figures is a constitutional obligation of government.
“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,” the statement read.
Atiku condemned the presidency’s vitriolic response to Obi’s public outcry regarding his safety and that of other opposition figures in the country, noting that it demeans the office and inflames an already tense political atmosphere.
“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.
“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.
“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,” Atiku stressed.
The former vice-president urged the government to be more concerned with the rescue of Nigerians still in captivity in the hands of kidnappers, while also advocating the release of former governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai.
“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 called on the Federal Government to be transparent and accountable to the public and eschew 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 said.
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election had said he may not be alive to contest the 2027 election, alleging government victimization of opposition figures in the country.
Obi made the claim during an interview with Chude Jideonwo which the media personality posted on X on Wednesday,
Obi said most opposition figures in the country have become targets of socio-economic and political repression by government.
