Insecurity: Atiku warns against suspending campaigns in Borno, Benue, others

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned against moves to suspend political campaigns in parts of Northern Nigeria, warning that such a step could undermine constitutional rights and deepen fears of disenfranchisement amid worsening insecurity.

Atiku’s reaction follows reports that the Senate may be weighing the suspension of political activities in eight states grappling with escalating violence, including Borno, Benue and Plateau.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former presidential candidate described the development as deeply troubling, noting that 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.”

Atiku recalled earlier intelligence suggesting possible efforts to weaken electoral participation in key Northern states, warning that recent developments appear to reinforce such 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.

The former vice president stressed that citizens in the North, like their counterparts across the country, deserve both security and full democratic participation, insisting that neither should come at the expense of the other.

He added that it remains the responsibility of the government to guarantee security, just as citizens must be allowed to 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 further 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 part of the country would be denied its constitutional rights.

The debate over suspending political activities comes amid renewed anxiety within the National Assembly over the deteriorating security situation, particularly in the North-East and parts of the North-West and North-Central.

Last week, the senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, urged the Senate to consider far-reaching emergency measures, including halting political activities in frontline states most affected by insurgency and banditry.

Raising a point of order during plenary, Ningi warned that the worsening violence demands urgent and decisive action beyond routine 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 proposal reflects mounting concern over a resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, including coordinated assaults on military formations and renewed threats against rescue operations for abducted civilians.