By Sunny A. David, Awka
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the safety of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi following concerns raised by the Labour Party leader about threats to his life ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku’s statement followed an interview released on Wednesday in which Obi disclosed that he feared for his safety and was uncertain whether he would still be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku stressed that protecting opposition leaders is a constitutional duty of the government and an important measure of Nigeria’s democratic values.
He stated that no harm should come to Peter Obi, arguing that intimidation of any opposition figure weakens democracy and undermines the rights of all citizens to participate freely in the political process.
Atiku also called on the Presidency to address concerns raised by opposition leaders with facts, responsibility, and statesmanship rather than personal attacks. According to him, Nigeria’s most pressing challenges remain poverty, hunger, insecurity, corruption, kidnapping, and violence, rather than political opposition.
He added that any administration that focuses more on confronting its critics than addressing national problems risks losing sight of the true purpose of governance.
Meanwhile, the Njiko Igbo Forum, an affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, also voiced concern over Obi’s safety following an emergency meeting held in Enugu on Thursday.
In a statement signed by its leader, Rev. Dr. Okechukwu Christopher Obioha, the forum described Obi’s comments as alarming, noting that his suggestion that he might not live to see the 2027 election reflects growing concerns about Nigeria’s political climate.
The group called on the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to investigate Obi’s allegations and ensure his safety. It argued that the claims should be taken seriously and not dismissed without proper inquiry.
The forum further alleged that there have been persistent attempts to frustrate Obi politically and warned that any harm to him or any effort to prevent his participation in future elections could have serious consequences for national unity.
While reaffirming the commitment of the Igbo people to peace, the group cautioned against interpreting their restraint as weakness. It also alleged that Obi had faced sustained political pressure across different political platforms and urged the authorities to guarantee his security.
Obi’s remarks have continued to generate reactions from political stakeholders and concerned Nigerians, many of whom have called for a thorough investigation into his allegations and adequate protection for the former governor.
As of the time this report was filed, the Presidency had not issued an official response to the statements made by Atiku Abubakar or the Njiko Igbo Forum.
