Nothing Must Happen to Obi, El-Rufai — Atiku Warns Tinubu

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the safety of opposition figures, warning that nothing should happen to Peter Obi while also demanding the immediate release of Nasir El-Rufai.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the strength of any democracy is measured by how well it protects the rights and safety of those outside government.

He argued that governments should prioritize protecting citizens rather than engaging in political battles with opponents.

Quoting a proverb, Atiku said, “When the drums of injustice beat for your neighbour, do not dance, for tomorrow they may beat for you,” adding that all Nigerians have a responsibility to defend the country’s democratic space.

The former vice president stressed that Obi’s safety must be guaranteed and urged the Federal Government to release El-Rufai while intensifying efforts to rescue abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other Nigerians still being held by kidnappers.

According to him, history would judge any administration not by how aggressively it confronted political critics but by its ability to protect lives, uphold justice and preserve democratic values.

Atiku maintained that safeguarding opposition leaders is a constitutional responsibility and warned that intimidating political opponents weakens democracy.

He also expressed concern over the Presidency’s response to recent comments made by Obi, saying government officials should respond to criticism with restraint and facts rather than personal attacks.

According to Atiku, democratic leadership requires composure and responsible engagement, warning that insults directed at opposition figures could further heighten political tensions.

The ADC presidential candidate insisted that political disagreement should never be treated as warfare, arguing that Nigeria’s real challenges remain poverty, hunger, insecurity, corruption and kidnapping.

He said the government should devote greater attention to addressing worsening insecurity and securing the release of Nigerians held captive by criminal groups instead of focusing on political disputes.

Atiku also renewed his call for El-Rufai’s release, stressing that every Nigerian deserves due process, equal protection under the law and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court.