Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday protested against the alleged move by the government to suspend political campaigns in parts of the North. According to him, such a step could undermine constitutional rights and deepen fears of disenfranchisement amid worsening insecurity.
The former Vice President said this following the reports that the Senate might recommend the suspension of political activities in Borno, Benue, and Plateau, as well as five other states where armed gangs are wreaking havoc. In a statement by his media team, Atiku said while insecurity remains a grave national challenge, it must not be used to justify restrictions on 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.” The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant recalled earlier intelligence suggesting possible efforts to weaken electoral participation in key northern states, warning that recent developments appear to reinforce such concerns.
Atiku said: “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.” The ex-VP said citizens in the North, like their counterparts across the country, deserve both security and full democratic participation.
He said: “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.”
Atiku asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the Federal Government to clarify their positions and reassure Nigerians that no part of the country would be denied its constitutional rights.
Last week, Senator Abdul Ningi asked the Senate to consider farreaching emergency measures, including halting political activities in frontline states most affected by insurgency and banditry. He warned that the worsening violence demands urgent and decisive action beyond routine deliberations. 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.”
