Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has appealed to United States President Donald Trump and the worldwide group to intervene diplomatically over alleged threats to the life and political freedom of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar forward of Nigeria’s 2027 basic elections.
Frank, in an open letter addressed to Trump and different worldwide leaders on Monday, expressed concern over experiences of alleged plans to intimidate, arrest, detain or in any other case undermine Atiku’s participation within the forthcoming electoral course of.
Atiku, a number one opposition determine and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has been on the centre of political debates forward of the 2027 elections.
Frank urged the United States, the United Nations, the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom to have interaction the Nigerian authorities and demand credible assurances concerning the security of opposition leaders.
According to Frank, who serves as an envoy of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) to East Africa and the Middle East, the allegations regarding Atiku’s security and the potential use of state establishments towards opposition figures require pressing and impartial investigation.
“These allegations must be independently and urgently investigated. Given their gravity, however, they cannot be dismissed or ignored until it is too late to prevent harm,” he mentioned.
Frank warned that any try to make use of legislation enforcement or safety companies to impede opposition candidates would undermine democratic participation and erode public confidence in Nigeria’s establishments.
“The protection of political opposition is not a favour that any government grants at its discretion. It is a fundamental obligation of every democratic state,” he mentioned.
He particularly raised issues over allegations that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could possibly be used to provoke proceedings towards Atiku below circumstances that may result in his arrest and extended detention through the election marketing campaign.
However, Frank clarified that his place was not that political figures must be exempt from professional investigations, however that legislation enforcement companies should function independently and with out political interference.
“The concern is not that Atiku Abubakar should be placed above the law. The concern is that the law must never be placed at the service of political persecution,” he mentioned.
He referred to as on the Federal Government to make sure that any investigation involving opposition figures was based mostly on credible proof and carried out in accordance with due course of.
Frank additionally questioned the perceived selective utility of anti-corruption legal guidelines, arguing that public confidence in establishments such because the EFCC relied on their potential to analyze allegations impartially, no matter political affiliation.
He maintained that no public official or political affiliate must be shielded from professional scrutiny due to proximity to the presidency.
“If the government expects Nigerians to trust its anti-corruption institutions, those institutions must demonstrate that justice is neither partisan nor selective,” he mentioned.
Describing Atiku as considered one of Nigeria’s most outstanding opposition figures, Frank mentioned his criticism of presidency insurance policies and participation in debates on governance and public accountability have been professional options of a democratic system.
He argued that political disagreements must be addressed via open debate and lawful procedures quite than intimidation or threats.
“The test of Nigeria’s democracy is not whether the government protects its allies, but whether it protects the rights of those who challenge it,” Frank added.
Concerns Over 2027 Elections
Frank additionally expressed concern in regards to the credibility of the 2027 basic elections, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), safety companies and the judiciary to display impartiality within the discharge of their tasks.
He mentioned allegations of restrictions on opposition campaigns, political intimidation and interference with electoral establishments must be independently investigated earlier than they escalate.
The activist additional referred to public statements attributed to outstanding political figures, together with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, which critics have interpreted as suggesting confidence in a predetermined electoral end result.
He referred to as for accountable political rhetoric, warning that statements able to creating the impression that election outcomes had already been determined may additional undermine public confidence within the electoral course of.
“No political get together or public official has the authority to predetermine the desire of the Nigerian individuals.
“Elections must be won through the ballot, not through intimidation, institutional manipulation, or declarations that suggest the outcome has been settled in advance,” Frank mentioned.
He urged the worldwide group to help credible and impartial election remark missions in Nigeria, with specific consideration to political violence, voter intimidation, marketing campaign restrictions, the conduct of safety companies and transparency within the electoral course of.
Frank maintained that the worldwide group mustn’t wait till a serious political disaster erupts earlier than taking preventive motion.
“Preventive diplomacy is not merely desirable; it is a responsibility,” he mentioned.
He careworn that his attraction to Trump and different worldwide leaders was not an try to affect who ought to govern Nigeria, however quite a name for safeguards to make sure that Nigerians may freely decide their political future.
“I’m not asking the United States or any overseas authorities to find out who ought to govern Nigeria. That determination belongs solely to the Nigerian individuals.
“I am asking the international community to help ensure that Nigerians retain the freedom to make that decision without fear, coercion, or unlawful interference,” he mentioned.
Frank warned that electoral injustice may deepen public mistrust, heighten political tensions and threaten nationwide stability, with potential implications for the broader West African area.
He referred to as on the Nigerian authorities to supply credible assurances concerning the security of Atiku and different opposition figures, whereas urging worldwide companions to accentuate diplomatic engagement forward of the elections.
“The protection of Atiku Abubakar’s life and liberty, the safety of all opposition leaders, and the integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 elections must be treated as urgent democratic priorities,” he mentioned.
He added: “The world must not wait for a tragedy before it acts.”
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