RismadarVoice Reporters
June 27, 2026
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to weaken Nigeria’s democracy through what he described as efforts to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.
In a statement issued by his media office, Atiku said any attempt to restrict political competition or reduce citizens’ choices ahead of the 2027 general elections poses a serious threat to democratic governance and national stability.
He alleged that recent political developments, including the court ruling affecting the NDC, reflect what he described as the administration’s determination to weaken opposition parties and pave the way for a one-party state.
The former vice president maintained that free, fair and credible elections remain the foundation of democracy and warned that any attempt to suppress opposition voices could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Atiku urged President Tinubu to emulate former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, noting that neither administration sought to deregister opposition parties despite political competition.
He also called on the judiciary to resist political pressure and safeguard its independence, stressing that the courts must not be used to advance partisan interests.
The remarks follow a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja which set aside an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a political party and ordered a fresh hearing of the case with all necessary parties joined.
