Former vice president says any attempt to weaken opposition parties threatens Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 elections
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to undermine Nigeria’s democracy through an alleged plot to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
In a statement issued on Saturday, Atiku claimed the reported move was aimed at weakening opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that it could pave the way for a one-party state.
He argued that any attempt to restrict political competition or limit voters’ choices poses a serious threat to democratic governance, urging President Tinubu to emulate former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, whom he said did not seek to deregister opposition parties while in office.
Atiku also called on the judiciary to resist political pressure and safeguard its independence, insisting that the courts must not be used to advance partisan interests.
His remarks followed Friday’s ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party and ordered a fresh hearing with all necessary parties joined in the suit.