Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that moves to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress through the courts are part of a broader plan by President Bola Tinubu to entrench a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, in a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja on Saturday, described the alleged plot as a dangerous threat to Nigeria's democracy, warning that suppressing opposition parties could undermine the country's democratic process and trigger political instability.
He said the reported attempt to weaken opposition platforms did not come as a surprise, alleging that it reflected what he described as the administration's determination to dominate the political space at the expense of democratic competition.
The former vice president argued that the credibility of any democracy rests on citizens' ability to participate freely in elections, stressing that any action capable of denying Nigerians genuine political choices could have grave consequences.
"Nigerians are beginning to see the true colours of President Tinubu. While he professes commitment to democracy, the conduct of those acting on his behalf tells a different story," Atiku said.
Drawing comparisons with previous administrations, the Waziri of Adamawa noted that former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan did not seek to deregister opposition parties despite intense political rivalry.
He maintained that any government confident in its popularity and performance should have nothing to fear from free, fair and credible elections.
He further accused Tinubu of abandoning the democratic ideals he once championed, insisting that no leader could claim commitment to democracy while allegedly attempting to weaken opposition parties through state institutions.
Atiku also urged members of the judiciary to protect their independence and resist any attempt by politicians to influence the courts for partisan interests.
He warned that the integrity of the judiciary must be preserved, saying the institution remained the last hope of ordinary Nigerians and should not be used to undermine the country's democratic foundations.
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