Former Vice President of Nigeria and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that the ongoing attempt to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) through the courts is part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader plan to establish a one-party state in Nigeria.
According to Atiku, the development undermines the democratic aspirations of Nigerians and reflects the President’s fear of a free, fair and credible election in 2027.
Naija News recalls that a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, recently vacated its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen held that the court’s earlier judgment of December 10, 2025, had affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which was not joined as a party in the suit.
Reacting in a statement issued on Saturday through his media office, Atiku said he was not surprised by the court’s decision, describing it as part of a troubling plot to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
He warned that denying citizens the freedom to participate in transparent and credible elections could threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Atiku further alleged that although President Tinubu presents himself as a democrat, his actions and those of his allies suggest otherwise.
“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 professed commitment to free and fair elections,” he said.
The Waziri of Adamawa urged Tinubu to emulate former President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that despite his military background, Buhari never deregistered opposition parties. He also praised former President Goodluck Jonathan for upholding democratic values and maintaining that no political ambition should be worth the life of any Nigerian.
Atiku argued that any leader who enjoys genuine public support and has delivered good governance should have no reason to fear electoral competition.
“If you’re truly popular and your policies have improved the lives of Nigerians, you shouldn’t be afraid of a free and fair contest,” he stated.
He further accused Tinubu of abandoning the democratic ideals he once championed during the military era.
“Tinubu cannot claim to have fought for democracy under military rule and now become an enemy of the very principles democracy represents. You cannot seek to govern against the will of the people while claiming to support free and fair elections in 2027,” Atiku added.
The former Vice President also called on members of the judiciary to resist pressure from politicians seeking to manipulate the courts for political gain.
According to him, while administrations are temporary, democratic institutions must remain strong and independent. He acknowledged the integrity of many judges but warned that the actions of a few willing to serve political interests could damage the reputation of the judiciary.
“Governments will come and go, but the judiciary must protect its integrity as the last hope of the common people. Judges should not allow politicians to compromise their reputation for personal gain. Although Nigeria has many honourable judges, the excesses of a few who become tools in the hands of politicians are capable of tarnishing the image of the entire judiciary,” Atiku said.