Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called on the federal government to ensure the safety of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He also demanded the release of Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, describing the detention of opposition figures as a threat to democracy. Atiku made the appeal in a statement issued Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, his senior special assistant on public communication. He emphasized that the Nigerian state has a constitutional duty to protect opposition leaders from intimidation and harm.
Atiku referenced recent remarks by Obi in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, where Obi alleged that the federal government was deliberately undermining his livelihood and targeting opposition voices. The ADC candidate condemned the presidency's response to Obi's comments, calling it a series of personal attacks rather than a statesmanlike reaction. "Nothing must happen to Peter Obi. An injury to one is an injury to all," Atiku stated. "When one opposition leader is intimidated, every opposition voice is diminished." He added, "When one citizen begins to fear because of his political beliefs, democracy itself becomes the casualty."
Earlier in the week, el-Rufai's wives held a press conference in Abuja, appealing directly to President Bola Tinubu over his continued detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Atiku urged the presidency to act with responsibility and restraint, warning that silencing critics weakens democratic institutions. The federal government has not issued an official response to Atiku's statement. Legal proceedings against el-Rufai remain ongoing.
Atiku's call for Obi's protection follows Obi's own allegations of state-led economic sabotage, yet Atiku frames it as a universal democratic issue while benefiting politically from the spotlight. His demand for el-Rufai's release overlooks that el-Rufai was a key figure in a previous administration that also marginalized opposition voices. If the safety of opposition figures is now a constitutional concern, the same standard must apply regardless of which party holds power. The appeal gains moral weight only if it extends beyond allies.
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