Atiku Abubakar warns Federal Government against endangering opposition leaders, calls for Peter Obi's safety

He emphasized that the safety of Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi is a constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian state. Atiku also called for the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, asserting that all Nigerians are entitled to due process and equal protection under the law, regardless of political affiliation. In a statement issued in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku stated that democracy thrives when opposition figures can exercise their constitutional rights without fear.

He argued that a democratic system's strength is measured by the protection afforded to those outside power. Atiku expressed concern over the presidency’s response to Obi’s recent public comments, urging the government to address issues with restraint and facts rather than personal attacks. He maintained that political criticism should not be treated as hostility against the state and accused the government of focusing on political battles instead of addressing pressing security and economic challenges like poverty, hunger, insecurity, corruption, and kidnapping.

Atiku urged the Federal Government to prioritize rescuing Nigerians in captivity and to apply the same urgency to tackling i