Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Monday visited former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, following reports that Malami’s convoy was attacked.
Atiku, who expressed solidarity with Malami, strongly condemned the incident and warned against what he described as the growing wave of politically motivated violence targeting leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He said the development poses a serious danger to Nigeria’s democratic process and must not be allowed to escalate.
Nigeria has a long history of electoral violence, often triggered by rivalry among political parties, intense competition for power, and clashes between supporters. In the build-up to the 2023 general elections, several states recorded violent confrontations, including attacks on convoys, campaign grounds, and political offices. Analysts say the latest incident raises fresh concerns about the possibility of heightened hostilities ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement released by the Zonal Coordinator of the Malami Support Organisation, Muhammad Al-Amin, Atiku reaffirmed his commitment to democratic ideals and insisted that Nigeria must not allow politics to be hijacked by violent actors.
“The ADC coalition remains committed to rescuing Nigeria’s democracy from imminent threats. We must not allow anti-democratic forces to thrive,” Atiku was quoted as saying. He described the trend as “dangerous” and urged security agencies, stakeholders, and political leaders to act swiftly to address the situation.
Responding to the visit, Malami thanked Atiku for standing by him and described the attack on his convoy as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by political intolerance. According to him, the incident is more than a personal threat; it represents a broader danger to Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
“This incident is a stark warning against the politicisation of violence and the deliberate attempt to undermine democratic institutions for partisan gain,” Malami said. He added that political actors must refrain from actions that endanger national peace and stability.
Security agencies have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the reported attack, and details of those behind the incident remain unclear. However, political observers believe that swift intervention by the authorities is necessary to prevent the situation from fueling further divisions.
Analysts also caution that unchecked violence could destabilise the electoral process, weaken public confidence in democracy, and discourage voter participation. They argue that as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, political leaders must prioritise dialogue, tolerance, and conflict resolution over confrontation.
The reported attack comes at a time when the African Democratic Congress is seeking to expand its national presence and position itself as a “third force” in Nigerian politics. The party has consistently presented itself as an alternative to the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku, who has remained vocal on issues affecting democracy in Nigeria, has consistently condemned political violence and emphasised that it remains one of the biggest threats to democratic consolidation in the country. His visit to Malami underscores concerns that political hostilities could intensify as political realignments and campaigns ahead of 2027 gather momentum.
Observers note that with Nigeria’s large youth population and widespread economic hardship, political competition could easily spill into violence if unchecked. Stakeholders are therefore urging security agencies, civil society groups, and political actors to work together to strengthen democratic values and prevent the country from sliding into a cycle of electoral unrest.
As Atiku’s visit to Malami draws attention to the issue, many Nigerians will be watching how authorities handle the incident and whether proactive measures will be taken to address the broader concerns about political violence.
