Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a strong warning to President Bola Tinubu's administration, demanding the protection of opposition leader Peter Obi and the immediate release of former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai. In a statement on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Atiku argued that the true measure of democracy is not how comfortably those in power wield authority, but how safely those outside government can exercise their constitutional rights.
Atiku Defends Peter Obi
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 elections, declared that nothing must happen to Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for 2027. He stressed that the safety of every opposition leader is a constitutional obligation and a test of Nigeria's democratic credentials. Obi had previously raised an alarm over his personal safety.
"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 said.
Atiku expressed concern over the presidency's response to Obi's comments, which included personal insults and derogatory language. He stated that democratic leadership demands composure, not contempt, and urged the government to reassure citizens through statesmanship and responsible conduct.
Demands for El-Rufai's Release
The former vice president also renewed his call for the immediate release of Nasir El-Rufai, who is facing trials for alleged corruption, financial misconduct, and wiretapping. El-Rufai's legal proceedings are ongoing at the federal high courts in Kaduna and Abuja, involving the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
"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," Atiku said.
Focus on National Challenges
Atiku emphasized that 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 said.
He concluded: "Nothing must happen to Peter Obi. Release Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. Bring home every abducted schoolchild, every teacher, and every innocent Nigerian still languishing in the hands of kidnappers. Stop chasing political opponents and start confronting the crises that are bleeding our nation. History will not remember how fiercely a government fought its critics. It will remember whether it protected its citizens, upheld justice, rescued the vulnerable, and preserved the democracy entrusted to its care."
Atiku's Political Stance
Atiku, aged 79, is widely regarded by supporters as a pro-democracy advocate. Ahead of the 2027 elections, he has accused "anti-democratic elements" of attempting to create confusion and dampen the momentum of the ADC. His media office dismissed insinuations that he has quit active politics as fake news.
