Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned against suspending political campaigns in Northern Nigeria, claiming that such a move would weaken constitutional rights and heighten worries of disenfranchisement amid rising insecurity.
Atiku’s statement comes after reports that the Senate is considering suspending political activity in eight states coping with growing insecurity, including Borno, Benue, and Plateau.
In a statement on Sunday by his senior special assistant on public communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former presidential candidate described the development as deeply troubling, emphasizing that while insecurity remains a serious national challenge, it should 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.”
Atiku remembered previous intelligence indicating potential measures to reduce electoral participation in crucial Northern states, saying that recent events appear to confirm such fears.
“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.
The former vice president emphasized that individuals in the North, like their colleagues across the country, need both security and full democratic engagement and that neither should come at the price of the other.
He said that it is still the role of the government to ensure security, just as citizens must be able to 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 further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, security services, and President Bola Tinubu’s administration to clarify their stances and reassure Nigerians that no region of the country will be denied constitutional rights.
The debate regarding suspending political activity comes amid heightened concern in the National Assembly over the deteriorating security situation, notably in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central.
Last week, Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central urged the Senate to consider broad emergency measures, such as banning political activity in frontline states most impacted by insurgency and banditry.
Raising a point of order during plenary, Ningi emphasized that the escalating violence necessitates immediate and decisive action beyond normal deliberations.
He 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.”
Ningi’s request underscores growing anxiety over a revival of Boko Haram attacks, including coordinated assaults on military formations and repeated threats against rescue efforts for abducted people.
