…Says Popular Leaders Don’t Fear Free Competition
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has again accused President Bola Tinubu of working towards imposing a one-party state in Nigeria following a fresh bid to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the development has further confirmed President Tinubu’s alleged plan to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking through his media office on Saturday, Atiku warned that the alleged plans could have consequences for democracy.
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 said citizens’ participation in free, fair and credible elections remained central to democracy, and that efforts to limit voters’ choices could create tension.
He urged President Tinubu to emulate former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, whom he said did not deregister opposition parties while in office.
“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 told Tinubu.
He added, “Tinubu cannot be a champion of democracy under military dictatorship and now become the worst enemy of everything that democracy stands for.”
Atiku also advised judges to protect the independence of the judiciary and resist pressure from politicians.
“Governments will come and go. Hence, the judiciary must guard her integrity as the last hope of the masses. Don’t allow unscrupulous politicians to stain your reputation for their own short-term gain at the expense of justice. The judiciary is the last hope of the people. Let’s avoid anything that is capable of ruining the credibility and reputation of our courts; not for a messy pot of pottage or love of lucre,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NDC Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has also criticised the court ruling as a setback for Nigeria’s democracy.
Obi, in a statement shared on Facebook, said Nigerians should be concerned about developments affecting democratic institutions.
“This judgment represents another setback for our democracy and the institutions upon which our future depends,” Obi said.
He said institutions of democracy must remain independent and warned against actions that could weaken public confidence.
“It is regrettable that some who claim to champion democracy now appear determined to weaken the very institutions that sustain it. In doing so, they are undermining public confidence and endangering the future of millions of Nigerians,” Obi stated.
He recalled that he had previously condemned a similar situation involving the ADC and would continue to speak against actions that threaten democratic values.
(The Whistler)
