If You’re Popular, Don’t Be Afraid Of Free And Fair Election— Atiku Slams Tinubu Over Plot To Deregister NDC
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to weaken the opposition and entrench a one-party state through an alleged plot to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
In a statement issued by the Atiku Media Office on Friday, the former vice president described the reported move as a dangerous development that could undermine Nigeria's democracy and threaten the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku said the alleged plan reflects what he termed the "desperate determination" of the Tinubu administration to suppress opposition voices and deny Nigerians the opportunity of participating in a genuinely competitive electoral process.
According to him, the right of citizens to freely choose their leaders through credible elections remains the foundation of democracy, warning that any attempt to limit political choices could trigger instability and deepen tensions in the country.
“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 stated.
The former vice president said he was not surprised by the development, arguing that recent political events indicate a coordinated effort to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
He urged President Tinubu to emulate the democratic conduct of former presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, noting that neither administration sought to deregister opposition parties despite facing political competition.
"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.
He further accused Tinubu of abandoning the democratic ideals he once championed during Nigeria's struggle against military rule.
"Tinubu cannot be a champion of democracy under military dictatorship and now become the worst enemy of everything that democracy stands for," he said.
"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."
The Waziri of Adamawa also appealed to members of the judiciary to resist political pressure and avoid actions that could damage public confidence in the courts.
"Governments will come and go. Hence, the judiciary must guard her integrity as the last hope of the masses," he said.
He warned judges against allowing themselves to be used by politicians for partisan purposes, saying the credibility and reputation of the nation's courts must not be sacrificed for personal gain or political expediency.
"There are great judges in Nigeria, but the unchecked excesses of some who allow themselves to become judicial swords in the hands of politicians are capable of damaging the larger image of the judiciary," Atiku added.
His comment comes after Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court set aside the court's earlier judgement of December 10, 2025, which had compelled INEC to register the NDC as a political party.