Atiku warns against harm to Peter Obi, demands El-Rufai’s release

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has warned that any harm to Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi would amount to a grave assault on Nigeria’s democracy, insisting that the Federal Government has a constitutional duty to guarantee the safety of all opposition leaders.

Mr Atiku also renewed his call for the immediate release of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, saying his continued detention raises concerns about due process and the rule of law.

The former vice president made the remarks in a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

According to Atiku, the strength of any democracy is measured not by how those in power exercise authority, but by how freely and safely those outside government can exercise their constitutional rights.

“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 accused the Presidency of responding to Obi’s recent comments with personal attacks rather than statesmanship, arguing that political disagreements should not degenerate into insults.

“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,” he stated.

He added that governments strengthen democracy through reasoned engagement rather than abuse, warning that responding to criticism with insults projects insecurity rather than confidence.

The former vice president further argued that the Federal Government was focusing too much attention on political opponents instead of addressing pressing national challenges.

“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,” Atiku said.

He lamented the worsening security situation across the country, noting that many abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other Nigerians 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. These are the emergencies that deserve the full machinery of government—not endless political sparring with opposition figures,” he said.

Atiku urged the government to devote the same urgency it applies to political communication towards securing the release of kidnapped Nigerians and restoring public confidence in the country’s security architecture.

On El-Rufai’s detention, Atiku said every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, deserves equal protection under the law and should enjoy the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court.

“The continued detention of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has generated widespread public concern. Every Nigerian 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.

The ADC presidential candidate also called on the Federal Government to address public concerns surrounding its administration through transparency and accountability rather than political confrontations.

“Public confidence is not restored through insults or propaganda. It is restored through openness, accountability and the courage to answer legitimate questions,” he stated.

He concluded by urging the government to protect opposition figures, release El-Rufai and intensify efforts to rescue Nigerians still being held by kidnappers.

“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.