Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to ensure the safety of Labour Party presidential candidate **Peter Obi**, warning that protecting opposition figures is essential to preserving Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement released through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, **Phrank Shaibu**, Atiku argued that the strength of any democracy is measured by how securely citizens and opposition leaders can exercise their constitutional rights.
He warned that any threat to Peter Obi would be a threat to democratic values, stressing that political differences should never become grounds for intimidation.
Atiku also criticised the Presidency for responding to Obi’s recent comments with what he described as personal attacks rather than addressing the issues raised. According to him, democratic leadership requires calm, constructive engagement and respect for opposing views instead of inflammatory rhetoric.
He maintained that criticism of government policies should not be interpreted as hostility, adding that opposition parties play a vital role in strengthening democracy.
The former Vice President urged the government to shift its attention from political disputes to the country’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, poverty, hunger, corruption and the growing wave of kidnappings.
He noted that many Nigerian families are still waiting for the safe return of relatives abducted by criminal groups, insisting that rescuing victims and restoring public confidence in national security should be the government’s top priority.
Atiku further appealed for the release of former Kaduna State Governor, **Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, saying every Nigerian deserves due process, equal treatment under the law and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court.
According to him, justice must be administered fairly and without any appearance of political bias.
He also urged the Federal Government to address public concerns surrounding its administration through transparency and accountability instead of engaging in political exchanges with critics.
Concluding his statement, Atiku warned that history ultimately judges governments not by how aggressively they confront political opponents, but by how effectively they protect citizens, uphold justice and defend democratic institutions.
He reiterated his call for the protection of Peter Obi, the release of Nasir El-Rufai if due process requires it, and intensified efforts to secure the freedom of every Nigerian still being held captive by kidnappers.
Atiku Raises Alarm Over Peter Obi’s Safety, Urges FG to Prioritise Security Over Politics
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