Former VP warns against alleged plot to deregister opposition parties, says democracy is under threat.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to emulate former leaders Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, insisting that neither administration ever sought to deregister opposition parties despite facing intense political rivalry.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 election, made the appeal while reacting to what he described as a calculated attempt to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) through the courts.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Atiku Media Office, the former vice president alleged that the move was part of a broader agenda to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections and establish a one-party state.
“Attempts to restrict political competition run contrary to democratic principles and could erode public confidence in the electoral process,” Atiku said.
Lessons from Past Leaders
Atiku urged Tinubu to take a cue from former President Muhammadu Buhari, who, despite being a retired military officer turned politician, did not deregister any opposition party during his tenure.
He also cited former President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that the ex-leader consistently maintained that political ambition should never come at the cost of human lives.
“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 stated.
Appeal to the Judiciary
The Waziri of Adamawa also appealed to members of the judiciary to safeguard the independence and integrity of the courts, urging judges to resist any attempt by politicians to use the judicial process for partisan purposes.
He warned that the actions of a few judicial officers could affect public perception of the institution and called for strict adherence to the rule of law.
According to Atiku, Nigerians should be free to participate in credible elections and choose leaders without undue interference, adding that the reported efforts against the NDC contradict President Tinubu’s stated commitment to democratic values.
