Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged the Federal Government to guarantee the safety of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing it as a constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian state.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku warned against the intimidation of opposition figures, stressing that “an injury to one is an injury to all.”
The former vice president also called for the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that every Nigerian is entitled to due process, equal protection under the law, and the presumption of innocence. He cautioned against what he described as selective justice and urged the government to stop targeting political opponents.
According to Atiku, the opposition should not be viewed as an enemy of the country, arguing that poverty, hunger, and insecurity remain Nigeria’s real challenges. He accused the presidency of responding to criticism with insults instead of addressing issues with facts, adding that democracy thrives on reasoned engagement rather than hostility.
He further challenged the Federal Government to focus on rescuing abducted schoolchildren, teachers, and other Nigerians still being held by kidnappers, saying such issues deserve the government’s full attention instead of political confrontations.
Atiku maintained that the true test of democracy lies in how well it protects those outside government, warning that history would judge leaders by their commitment to justice, the protection of citizens, and the preservation of democratic values.
