By Tony Okafor, Awka
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that “nothing must happen” to the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, amid growing concerns over the latter’s safety ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku’s warning came a day after Obi disclosed in an interview that his life was under threat and suggested he might not be alive to participate in the 2027 presidential election.
The statement, issued by Atiku’s spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, said the safety of opposition leaders was a constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian state and a critical test of the country’s democratic credentials.
“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 stated.
He urged the Presidency to respond to concerns raised by opposition figures with “statesmanship, facts and responsible conduct” rather than insults, stressing that democracy thrives on reasoned engagement.
“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 said.
Atiku further argued that any government that devotes more attention to attacking critics than addressing pressing national challenges risks confusing political survival with the purpose of governance.
Meanwhile, Njiko Igbo Forum, an affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, also expressed concern over Obi’s safety, warning that any harm to the former Anambra State governor could have grave consequences for the country.
In a statement issued after an emergency meeting in Enugu on Thursday, the Forum’s leader, Rev. Dr. Okechukwu Christopher Obioha, described Obi’s comments about threats to his life as deeply troubling.
“For him to have gone to the extent of saying he might not be alive before the 2027 election speaks volumes about the state of our polity and the country at large,” the group said.
The Forum called on the Federal Government to immediately investigate Obi’s allegations, insisting that they should not be dismissed lightly.
It also alleged that there had been sustained efforts to frustrate Obi politically and warned that excluding him from the presidential ballot or allowing any harm to come to him could have “catastrophic” consequences for Nigeria’s unity.
The group further stated that while the Igbo had remained peaceful despite perceived marginalisation, their restraint should not be mistaken for weakness.
“There is no justification for what we have seen in the political space, including alleged attempts to trail Peter Obi across political parties,” the statement said, while urging the authorities to guarantee his safety.
Obi had, during an interview released on Wednesday, expressed fears about his personal safety, saying he was uncertain whether he would be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election.
His remarks have generated widespread reactions, with several political stakeholders and concerned Nigerians calling on security agencies to investigate the allegations and ensure his protection.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not officially responded to the statements by Atiku Abubakar and the Njiko Igbo Forum.
