Elder statesman Chief Adesunbo Onitiri has issued a strong warning to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former governors Nasir el-Rufai and Peter Obi, urging them to avoid any actions or rhetoric that could destabilise Nigeria’s political climate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released on Saturday from Lagos, Onitiri appealed to the prominent political figures, whom he acknowledged as key national figures, to demonstrate greater restraint and patriotism in their political activities. He stressed that escalating political tensions pose a significant threat to the nation’s democratic stability.
“As one of the original democrats who risked our lives during the 1993–1994 struggle against military rule, we cannot sit idly by while some politicians create openings for anti-democratic forces to exploit,” Onitiri stated.
He particularly criticized Atiku’s reported move to seek intervention from an American court to disqualify President Bola Tinubu before the 2027 elections, describing it as “unnecessary and unacceptable to most Nigerians.”
“We committed democrats will not fold our arms while our people suffer from hunger and insecurity. The opposition should allow the President to focus on governance and and the delivery of democratic dividends,” Onitiri added.
The elder statesman emphasized that Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges necessitate unity and collaboration across party lines. He called on both the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition leaders to set aside partisanship and work together for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
“The Federal Government is making efforts to address the inherited economic and security issues since taking office in 2023. What is needed now is cooperation, not division,” Onitiri concluded.
