Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Monday visited former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in Birnin Kebbi, following reports that Malami’s convoy was attacked.
Atiku condemned the assault, warning against the rise of politically motivated violence targeting leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He described the trend as “dangerous” and called on security agencies and stakeholders to take urgent steps to curb escalation.
Nigeria has a long history of election-related violence, often fueled by intense rivalry between political parties. In the run-up to the 2023 polls, several states witnessed attacks on convoys, campaign offices, and political gatherings, highlighting the fragility of the country’s democratic process.
“The ADC coalition remains committed to rescuing Nigeria’s democracy from imminent threats. We must not allow anti-democratic forces to thrive,” Atiku said in a statement issued through Muhammad Al-Amin, the Zonal Coordinator of the Malami Support Organisation.
Malami, who served as Justice Minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari, thanked Atiku for the visit. He described the incident as a stark reminder of the risks posed by unchecked hostilities in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“This incident is a stark warning against the politicisation of violence and the deliberate attempt to undermine democratic institutions for partisan gain,” Malami said.
Security agencies have yet to release an official statement regarding the attack.
Analysts warn that rising violence could erode public trust in the electoral process and destabilise Nigeria’s fragile democracy. The reported assault on Malami’s convoy comes as the ADC attempts to broaden its national footprint, positioning itself as a “third force” against the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku, a consistent critic of political violence, has repeatedly said such hostilities threaten Nigeria’s democratic consolidation. His visit to Malami underscores mounting concerns that clashes may intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.