Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of attempting to weaken Nigeria’s democratic system through what he described as efforts to use the courts to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
In a statement released on Saturday by his media office in Abuja and shared on X by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku argued that the reported move reflects a broader agenda to suppress opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general election.
The statement, dated June 27, 2026, warned that limiting political parties or restricting voters’ choices could undermine democratic governance and push the country towards a one-party system.
According to the former vice president, recent political developments reinforce concerns about the administration’s commitment to democratic values and electoral competition.
He said: “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.”
Atiku maintained that democracy can only thrive when citizens are allowed to make their choices freely at the ballot box, warning that any attempt to obstruct that process could destabilise the country.
He stated: “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.”
The former vice president urged President Tinubu to follow the example of former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, noting that despite intense political rivalry during their administrations, neither sought to eliminate opposition parties through deregistration.
He argued that any government genuinely confident in its performance should welcome electoral competition rather than fear it.
According to Atiku: “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.”
He also accused the President of departing from the democratic principles he once championed during the era of military rule.
In his words: “Tinubu cannot be a champion of democracy under military dictatorship and now become the worst enemy of everything that democracy stands for.”
He further added: “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.”
Turning to the judiciary, Atiku appealed to judges to remain impartial and resist any political influence that could erode public confidence in the justice system.
He said: “Governments will come and go. Hence, the judiciary must guard her integrity as the last hope of the masses.”
While acknowledging the integrity of many judicial officers, he cautioned that the conduct of a few could tarnish the reputation of the entire institution.
He added: “There are great judges in Nigeria, but the unchecked excesses of some who allow themselves to become judicial swords on the hands of politicians are capable of damaging the larger image of the judiciary.”
(Ripples)
