The Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has rejected calls for the suspension of political campaigns in parts of Northern Nigeria affected by insurgency, warning that such a move would undermine democratic rights and fuel perceptions of exclusion.
His reaction follows renewed debate over a reported proposal in the Senate suggesting a temporary halt to political activities in some states grappling with rising insurgent attacks and worsening insecurity.
The affected states reportedly include Borno, Benue, Plateau, and other parts of the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions where violence has intensified in recent months.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the suggestion as unacceptable, insisting that insecurity cannot be used to justify restrictions on democratic participation.
He stressed that the right of citizens to engage in political campaigns and electoral processes is constitutionally guaranteed and must not be abridged under any circumstance.
According to him, any attempt to restrict political activities in insurgency-hit areas risks deepening mistrust in government and weakening national unity.
Atiku maintained that the appropriate response to insecurity is stronger governance and improved security operations, not the suspension of democratic engagement.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the Federal Government to reassure Nigerians that no part of the country would be excluded from political participation.
The development follows comments by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), who had urged the Senate to consider emergency measures, including suspending political activities in states worst affected by insurgency and banditry.
Ningi listed states such as Borno, Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, and parts of Kano as areas requiring urgent attention due to persistent attacks.
The debate comes amid renewed insurgent activities in the North-East and continued banditry attacks across parts of the North-West and North-Central regions.
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