Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of attempting to weaken Nigeria’s opposition parties and impose what he described as a “de facto one-party state.”
Atiku made the allegation in a statement reacting to reports of a legal move seeking the deregistration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), describing the development as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and citizens’ right to choose their leaders.
The former vice president said any attempt to restrict opposition participation ahead of the 2027 general elections could have serious consequences for the country’s democratic stability.
According to Atiku, free, fair and credible elections remain the foundation of democracy, warning that efforts to limit political competition could trigger tension and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
He accused President Tinubu of presenting himself as a democrat while allegedly allowing actions by his allies that contradict commitments to democratic principles.
Atiku urged the president to follow the examples of former leaders, including Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, whom he said allowed opposition parties to operate without attempts to deregister them.
He argued that a government confident in its performance should welcome electoral competition rather than seek to weaken opponents.
“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 said.
The ADC presidential candidate also criticised any attempt to involve the judiciary in political disputes, urging judges to protect the integrity of the courts and resist pressure from politicians.
He warned that the judiciary must remain independent and avoid actions capable of damaging public trust in democratic institutions.
Atiku said governments will come and go, but institutions such as the judiciary must protect the country’s democratic values and uphold justice.
The statement was signed by the Atiku Media Office in Abuja on June 27, 2026.
Comments
Add a comment