Atiku just called out FG over Obi and El-Rufai — and he is right

Atiku Abubakar released a statement today asking the federal government to protect Peter Obi, release Nasir El-Rufai, and focus on insecurity instead of attacking opposition figures. He said through his aide Phrank Shaibu that no harm must come to Obi, and that protecting opposition leaders is a constitutional duty. This is the same Atiku who has been quiet for months, so when he speaks like this, you know things are bad.

Obi said yesterday that the government is frustrating his activities and targeting opposition figures, that he may not live to contest 2027. Atiku backed him up directly — "Nothing must happen to Peter Obi. An injury to one is an injury to all." He also called out the Presidency for responding to Obi with insults instead of statesmanship. The man is saying what many of us have been thinking: the opposition is not the enemy, poverty and hunger and kidnapping are the enemies.

But here is the part that will get people talking — Atiku also demanded the release of El-Rufai, saying every Nigerian deserves due process and equal protection regardless of political affiliation. The same El-Rufai who was once in power and now finds himself on the other side. That is the thing about Nigerian politics, today you are inside, tomorrow you are outside begging for mercy. So the question is simple: if the government can go after El-Rufai today, who is next? Be honest, are we watching democracy slowly die or is this just normal Nigerian politics?