Don’t Suppress Political Activities’ — Atiku Fires Strong Warning Over Northern Insecurity

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned against any move to suspend political activities in parts of Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections due to worsening insecurity.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement issued Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said such a decision would disenfranchise citizens in affected areas and deny them the right to participate in a legitimate democratic process.

He was reacting to reports that the Senate may be considering halting political activities in some states, including Borno, Benue and Plateau, over growing security concerns.

“Let it be clearly stated that 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 African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain argued that suspending democratic activities in troubled areas is not the answer to insecurity, warning that such a move could undermine participation in key Northern states and cast doubt on the credibility of the electoral process.

“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 maintained that citizens in the North deserve both security and full democratic participation, insisting that one should not come at the expense of the other.

He said while government has a duty to ensure safety, citizens must also be allowed to exercise their civic rights freely, without fear or intimidation.

“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.

The former vice president also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the administration of President Bola Tinubu to clarify their positions and assure Nigerians that no region would be denied its constitutional rights.

The debate gained momentum after Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) urged the Senate to consider emergency measures in response to worsening insecurity in parts of the North-East, North-West and North-Central.

Raising a point of order during plenary last week, Ningi argued that the escalating violence requires urgent intervention.

“One of the things that we must do… is either to suspend all political activities across this country or look at the frontline states of Borno, Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi and some parts of Kano,” he said.

He argued that political activities in the affected states should be paused until security conditions improve, citing renewed Boko Haram attacks, assaults on military formations and threats to rescue efforts for abducted civilians.