Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu's administration to guarantee the safety of opposition leader Peter Obi and immediately release former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying democracy must protect the rights of all citizens regardless of political affiliation.
In a statement issued through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said no harm should come to Obi, stressing that the safety of opposition figures is a constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian government.
He also called for the release of El-Rufai and urged the Federal Government to prioritize rescuing kidnapped schoolchildren, teachers, and other Nigerians still being held by criminal gangs.
According to Atiku, democracy is judged by how safely those outside government can exercise their rights, not by how those in power wield authority. He warned that governments focusing on political battles instead of addressing insecurity, poverty, and economic hardship risk undermining public confidence.
The former vice president criticized the Presidency's response to recent comments by Peter Obi, saying opposition voices should be met with dialogue and statesmanship rather than insults.
Atiku argued that Nigeria's real enemies are insecurity, corruption, hunger, poverty, and kidnapping—not political opponents. He urged the government to channel more energy into tackling these challenges instead of engaging in political confrontations.
He further maintained that El-Rufai deserves due process and fair treatment under the law, adding that justice must be applied impartially and without political bias.
Atiku also called on the Federal Government to address public concerns with transparency and accountability, saying trust in government is earned through openness, respect for the rule of law, and effective governance rather than political rhetoric.
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