Nothing must happen to Obi, release el-Rufai, Atiku tells FG
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to guarantee the safety of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and release former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai.
Atiku made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, amid growing concerns over the treatment of opposition figures.
His statement followed recent comments by Obi during an interview with Chude Jideonwo, where the former Anambra governor accused the Federal Government of frustrating his means of livelihood and targeting opposition politicians.
Atiku said the Nigerian government has a constitutional responsibility to protect all citizens, regardless of political affiliation.
“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.”
The former vice president also criticised the Presidency for responding to Obi’s allegations with what he described as personal attacks instead of reassuring Nigerians.
According to him, democratic leadership requires restraint and responsible engagement, not insults.
“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.”
Atiku argued that criticism should not be viewed as sabotage, insisting that opposition parties are not enemies of the country.
“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,” he said.
He accused the government of focusing more on attacking critics than addressing worsening insecurity and economic hardship, noting that many kidnapped schoolchildren, teachers and other victims remain in captivity.
Atiku urged the Federal Government to channel the same urgency it devotes to political communication toward rescuing abducted Nigerians and restoring confidence in national security.
The ADC candidate also renewed his demand for the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, whose detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has sparked public debate.
“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.”
He maintained that justice must not create the impression of selective application and urged the government to respond to public concerns with transparency and accountability rather than political distractions.
Atiku concluded by warning that history would judge governments by how they protect citizens, uphold justice and preserve democracy.
He called on the government to release el-Rufai, rescue all kidnapped Nigerians and focus on addressing the country’s pressing security and economic challenges instead of pursuing political opponents.
