By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Monday paid a solidarity visit to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in Birnin Kebbi, following reports of an attack on Malami’s convoy.
Atiku strongly condemned the incident, warning that the growing wave of politically motivated violence against leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s democracy as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
Describing the attack as “dangerous,” Atiku urged security agencies and political stakeholders to act swiftly to prevent further escalation.
“The ADC coalition remains committed to rescuing Nigeria’s democracy from imminent threats. We must not allow anti-democratic forces to thrive,” he said in a statement issued by Muhammad Al-Amin, Zonal Coordinator of the Malami Support Organisation.
Malami, in his response, thanked Atiku for the visit, stressing that the incident reflects the disturbing rise of politically driven hostilities.
He described the attack as “a stark warning against the politicisation of violence and the deliberate attempt to undermine democratic institutions for partisan gain.”
As of press time, security agencies had yet to release an official statement on the alleged assault.
The attack comes as the ADC steps up efforts to expand its national presence and position itself as a credible alternative to the dominant All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Analysts caution that unchecked violence could destabilize the electoral landscape and further erode public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Nigeria has a long history of election-related violence, often marked by attacks on convoys, campaign venues, and party offices. Ahead of the 2023 polls, several states recorded violent clashes tied to political rivalries.
Atiku, a consistent critic of political violence, has repeatedly called for peaceful political engagement, warning that such incidents remain a major obstacle to democratic consolidation.
