Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has delivered a stark warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the federal government, asserting that opposition figure Peter Obi must be safeguarded. Atiku’s declaration comes in the wake of grave concerns for Obi’s safety, particularly as the nation inches closer to the 2027 presidential election cycle.
The crucial message was conveyed on Thursday, July 9, through an official statement released by Atiku’s spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu. This intervention follows a recent public outcry from Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, who revealed during an interview that he has been receiving active threats to his life.
A Call for Democratic Safeguards
Obi’s disclosure has ignited widespread alarm and drawn sharp condemnations from various quarters, highlighting concerns over the weaponization of personal safety within Nigeria’s political landscape. In his robust statement, Atiku unequivocally emphasized that the protection of opposition figures is not merely a courtesy, but a fundamental constitutional obligation of the state and a critical benchmark of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles.
“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,” Atiku’s statement read, underscoring the interconnectedness of political freedom and national stability.
Statesmanship Over Hostility
Atiku did not shy away from criticizing the government’s perceived approach to dissent, urging the presidency to respond to political challenges with statesmanship and maturity, rather than resorting to hostility. He stressed that a primary duty of elected leadership, when faced with public concern or criticism, is to engage constructively and provide reassurance, not to launch defensive rhetoric or insults.
“The Presidency must understand that democratic leadership demands composure, not contempt. 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. Democracies are strengthened by reasoned engagement, not by invective. A government that answers every criticism with abuse projects insecurity, not confidence,” Atiku argued, advocating for a more measured and respectful political discourse.
The True Enemies of Nigeria
Furthermore, the former Vice President contended that the administrative focus of the current government has been severely misplaced. He stressed that political rivals are not the actual threats imperiling the federation. Instead, he called upon the Tinubu administration to redirect its energies from suppressing critics towards confronting the systemic issues that continue to plague the populace.
“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. The daily bloodletting across our communities is the enemy. A government that devotes more energy to attacking its critics than confronting these existential challenges has confused political survival with the purpose of governance,” he asserted, laying bare what he believes should be the true priorities of the administration.