By James Adamu
Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has issued a stern warning to the Presidency, declaring that “nothing must happen” to opposition leader Mr. Peter Obi, as any threat to one opposition figure is a threat to democracy itself.
In a press statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku cautioned that the true measure of any democracy is not how those in power wield authority, but how safely those outside power can exercise their constitutional rights.
“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.
Atiku expressed deep concern over what he described as the Presidency’s decision to respond to Mr. Obi’s public comments with “personal insults and derogatory language” rather than the restraint expected of a democratic government.
He warned that reducing political engagement to name-calling demeans the Office of the President and risks inflaming an already tense political atmosphere.
“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,” he said.
Atiku further argued that a government that answers every criticism with abuse projects insecurity, not confidence, and that democracies are strengthened by reasoned engagement, not invective.
The former Vice President cautioned the Federal Government against mistaking criticism for sabotage or political competition for warfare.
“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,” he declared.
Atiku lamented that the government appears to devote more energy to attacking its critics than confronting the existential challenges facing the nation, including unprecedented economic hardship, worsening insecurity, and the daily abduction of citizens.
He noted that families across the country continue to wait anxiously for the return of loved ones held captive by criminal gangs.
“There are schoolchildren and teachers still waiting to be reunited with their families. There are countless innocent Nigerians languishing in the camps of kidnappers. These are the emergencies that deserve the full machinery of government—not endless political sparring with opposition figures,” he said.
In a related development, Atiku renewed his call for the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, stating that justice derives its moral authority from fairness, impartiality, and fidelity to the Constitution.
“The continued detention of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has generated widespread public concern. Every Nigerian, irrespective of political affiliation, is entitled to due process, equal protection under the law and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court. Justice must never create the appearance of selective application,” he said.
Atiku urged the Federal Government to confront, with transparency and accountability, the serious public controversies surrounding its administration instead of engaging in needless political distractions.
“Public confidence is not restored through insults or propaganda. It is restored through openness, accountability and the courage to answer legitimate questions. Governments earn trust by confronting controversy with facts, strengthening institutions and demonstrating that no one is above scrutiny,” he added.
He warned that history has never been kind to governments that elevate political combat above the welfare and security of their citizens.
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