Insecurity: Don’t Suppress Political Activities In The North – Atiku Warns Govt

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has cautioned against reported moves by the government to suspend political activities in some Northern states ahead of the 2027 elections over growing challenges of insecurity.

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Atiku, in a statement on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, warned that such a move would disenfranchise the citizens of such areas and rob them of the opportunity to participate in a legal democratic process.

Naija News understands that Atiku’s reaction followed reports that the Senate may be considering suspending political activities in some states, including Borno, Benue, and Plateau, over rising cases of insecurity in such areas.

“Let it be clearly stated that the right to vote and participate in the electoral process is fundamental and cannot be abridged under any guise.

“Any attempt—whether deliberate or disguised—to suppress political activities in parts of Northern Nigeria raises legitimate concerns about disenfranchisement,” Atiku warned.

The chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) warned that suspending democratic and political activities in affected areas is not the solution to the security challenges affecting the people.

He warned that such action may simply weaken electoral participation in key Northern states, and raise questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.

“This is not merely about campaigns; it is about representation, inclusion, and the integrity of our democratic process. You cannot cure insecurity by silencing the voices of the people. Democracy must not become a casualty of government failure,” he added.

Atiku said citizens in the North deserve both security and full democratic participation, insisting that neither should come at the expense of the other.

He noted that while the government has the responsibility to guarantee safety, citizens must also be allowed to exercise their civic rights freely without fear or intimidation.

“At a time when citizens are already battling hardship and insecurity, the least the government can do is to guarantee their right to be heard—not to restrict it. Any policy that creates the impression of targeted exclusion will only deepen distrust and national division,” he warned.

The former vice president also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and the administration of President Bola Tinubu to clarify their positions and reassure Nigerians that no part of the country would be denied its constitutional rights.

The debate over suspending political activities gained momentum afterBauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, urged the Senate to consider emergency measures in response to the deteriorating security situation in parts of the North-East, North-West and North-Central.

Raising a point of order during plenary last week, Ningi said the worsening violence required urgent and decisive action.

“One of the things that we must do… is either to suspend all political activities across this country or look at the frontline states of Borno, Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi and some parts of Kano,” he said.

He argued that political activities in the affected states should be suspended until security conditions improve, citing renewed Boko Haram attacks, assaults on military formations and threats to rescue operations for abducted civilians.