Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned against any move to suspend political campaigns in eight Northern states over insecurity, saying such action could undermine democracy and disenfranchise voters.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over reports that the Senate is considering suspending political campaigns in eight Northern states under the pretext of worsening insecurity, warning the move could threaten democratic participation. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the development as troubling and said insecurity must not be used as a basis to erode constitutional rights. “Let it be clearly stated: the right to vote and participate in the electoral process is fundamental and cannot be abridged under any guise. Any attempt—whether deliberate or disguised—to suppress political activities in parts of Northern Nigeria raises legitimate concerns about disenfranchisement,” Atiku said.
The former vice president said credible intelligence had earlier suggested possible plans to weaken electoral participation in key Northern states, adding that the reported proposal appears to reinforce those concerns. “This is not merely about campaigns; it is about representation, inclusion, and the integrity of our democratic process. You cannot cure insecurity by silencing the voices of the people. Democracy must not become a casualty of government failure,” he added. Atiku stressed that citizens in the North, like all Nigerians, deserve both security and full participation in the democratic process, insisting government has a duty to guarantee safety while protecting civic freedoms.
He further warned that policies creating the impression of targeted exclusion could deepen distrust and national division, especially amid growing hardship and insecurity. “At a time when citizens are already battling hardship and insecurity, the least the government can do is to guarantee their right to be heard — not to restrict it. Any policy that creates the impression of targeted exclusion will only deepen distrust and national division,” he warned. Atiku called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and the Bola Tinubu administration to clarify their positions and assure Nigerians that no region would be denied its constitutional rights, cautioning that “Nigeria must never descend into a situation where elections are shaped by exclusion, fear, or administrative manipulation. The consequences of such actions are far-reaching and better imagined than experienced.”
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