Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned against any move to halt political campaigns in parts of Northern Nigeria, arguing that such a decision would erode constitutional rights and heighten fears of disenfranchisement amid worsening insecurity.
His reaction follows reports that the Senate is considering suspending political activities in eight states affected by escalating violence, including Borno, Benue, and Plateau.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the proposal as deeply troubling. While acknowledging that insecurity remains a serious national challenge, he stressed that it must not be used as a basis to limit democratic participation.
He said, “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 recalled earlier intelligence pointing to possible efforts to weaken voter participation in key Northern states, warning that recent developments appear to validate 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.
He emphasized that citizens in the North, like all Nigerians, are entitled to both security and full participation in the democratic process, insisting that neither should be sacrificed.
According to him, it is the government’s duty to ensure safety while also guaranteeing that citizens can freely exercise their civic rights 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.
Atiku also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, and the administration of President Bola Tinubu to clarify their positions and reassure Nigerians that no region would be denied its constitutional rights.
The debate over suspending political activities comes amid rising concern within the National Assembly over deteriorating security conditions, particularly in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions.
Last week, Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, urged the Senate to consider sweeping emergency measures, including a possible suspension of political activities in frontline states most affected by insurgency and banditry.
Speaking during plenary, Ningi said, “Mr President, we cannot continue to think that because we are in Abuja, therefore this thing (insecurity) does not affect us.
“One of the things that we must do, and I want us to take this issue very seriously, 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. We need to suspend activities in these states until we are sufficiently certain that the insecurity challenges are over.
“This is because we are not dealing with this insecurity issue at all. And I am not blaming anybody. We cannot come here every time to lament.”
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