The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to undermine Nigeria’s democracy through a plot to deregister the African Democratic Congress, warning that such a move could pave the way for a one-party state.
In a statement on Saturday by his media office, Atiku described the reported attempt to deregister the opposition party through judicial means as evidence of what he called the administration’s determination to weaken political opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.
He believes that any attempt to limit political competition or voters’ choices at the ballot box endangers democratic governance and national stability.
Atiku said the development was not surprising, citing recent acts and political signals from the current administration that have raised questions about its commitment to democratic ideals.
“Nigerians are now seeing the true colours of President Tinubu, who pretends to be a democrat, but his body language and the sinister activities of his agents contradict his mouthed commitment to free and fair elections,” he said.
The former vice president warned that attempts to repress opposition parties might have far-reaching ramifications for the country’s democracy, adding that the freedom of citizens to participate in free, fair and legitimate elections remains the foundation of democratic rule.
“Participation of citizens in a free, fair and credible poll is the soul of democracy, and any attempt to stifle such freedom of choice could be a trigger to chaos and anarchy,” he stated.
Atiku urged President Tinubu to follow in the footsteps of former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, noting that neither administration attempted to deregister opposition parties despite intense political competition.
He argued that a government that is confident in its popularity and performance should not be concerned about electoral competition.
“If you’re truly popular and your policies have positively bettered the lives of the citizens, you shouldn’t be afraid of a free and fair competition,” Atiku said.
He also accused Tinubu of abandoning the democratic ideals he previously advocated during Nigeria’s military rule.
“Tinubu cannot be a champion of democracy under military dictatorship and now become the worst enemy of everything that democracy stands for,” he said.
“You can’t attempt to rule the people against their will and still pretend that you’re committed to free and fair elections in 2027.”
Atiku also urged members of the judiciary to reject political pressure and maintain the integrity of the courts, saying that judicial institutions should not be used for party purposes.
“Governments will come and go. Hence, the judiciary must guard her integrity as the last hope of the masses,” he said.
The former vice president appreciated the work of many renowned judges but warned that the acts of a few judicial officials who allow themselves to be swayed by politicians could undermine public trust in the legal system.
“There are great judges in Nigeria, but the unchecked excesses of some who allow themselves to become judicial swords in the hands of politicians are capable of damaging the larger image of the judiciary,” he added.
Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja overturned the court’s previous decision from December 10, 2025, which directed INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
The court ruled that the earlier verdict harmed the Peace Movement Party’s rights because it was not joined in the complaint despite claiming ownership of the emblem used to obtain the order.
As a result, the court ordered that all parties return to their pre-December 2025 positions and that the substantive case be heard again with all required parties present.
Following the court verdict, Ibe urged NDC presidential candidate and deputy Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and other opposition leaders to band together ahead of the 2027 elections.
He stated that opposition groups still had time to collaborate before the next presidential election, citing Obi, Kwankwaso, and other opposition leaders as prospective allies in a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress.
