Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to guarantee the safety of Labour Party leader Peter Obi, while renewing his demand for the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the protection of opposition figures is a constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian government and a critical test of the country’s democratic values.
Reacting to recent political developments, Atiku declared that no harm must come to Peter Obi, arguing that attacks or intimidation against one opposition leader threaten the democratic rights of all Nigerians.
“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,” the statement read.
The former vice president also urged the Federal Government to release Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that every Nigerian deserves due process, equal protection under the law and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court. According to him, justice must not create the impression of selective application.
Atiku criticised the Presidency’s response to comments recently made by Peter Obi, saying government officials should engage critics with facts and statesmanship rather than personal attacks. He argued that democratic leadership requires restraint and responsible communication, warning that hostile rhetoric only deepens political tension.
He maintained that opposition parties should not be treated as enemies of the state, insisting that Nigeria’s greatest challenges remain poverty, insecurity, corruption, hunger and widespread kidnapping. According to Atiku, government attention should be directed towards rescuing abducted citizens and restoring public confidence in national security instead of engaging in political confrontations.
The former presidential candidate also expressed concern over the continued detention of El-Rufai, saying the case has generated widespread public interest. He called on the authorities to uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice is administered fairly, transparently and without political considerations.
Concluding his appeal, Atiku urged the Tinubu administration to confront public controversies through openness and accountability rather than political exchanges. He argued that governments earn public trust by strengthening institutions, answering legitimate questions and ensuring that no individual is above the law.
