NDC Court Ruling Reveals Tinubu’s True Intentions — Atiku

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of trying to weaken Nigeria’s democracy following the Federal High Court ruling that set aside the judgment which ordered the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

Atiku made the allegation on Saturday through a statement issued by his media office in Abuja, describing the development as part of a wider effort to weaken opposition parties before the 2027 general elections.

Atiku said the latest court decision has raised fresh concerns about the future of multi-party democracy in Nigeria. He argued that any move capable of reducing political competition or limiting the choices available to voters could weaken democratic governance and create unnecessary political tension across the country.

The former vice president said he was not surprised by the court ruling, claiming that recent actions of the current administration have continued to raise questions about its commitment to democratic values. He maintained that a government that enjoys public support should have no reason to fear political competition or attempts by opposition parties to challenge it at the polls.

According to him, free, fair and credible elections remain the foundation of democracy, adding that every Nigerian must be allowed to freely choose political leaders without interference. He warned that any action capable of restricting that right could have serious consequences for the country’s democratic system.

Atiku also urged President Tinubu to follow the example of former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, noting that neither administration sought to remove opposition parties from the political space despite facing strong electoral competition. He said confidence in governance should be reflected through policies and performance rather than attempts to reduce the number of political opponents.

He further accused the President of moving away from the democratic principles he once defended during the military era. According to Atiku, leaders who once fought for democratic rule should remain committed to protecting the country’s democratic institutions instead of creating conditions that may weaken them.

The former vice president also appealed to members of the judiciary to remain independent and resist any form of political influence. He said the courts have a duty to protect justice and maintain public confidence in the legal system, warning that the conduct of a few judicial officers should not damage the reputation of the institution.

The controversy followed Friday’s judgment by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, who set aside the court’s December 10, 2025 ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the NDC. The judge held that the earlier judgment affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the logo used in obtaining the registration order but was not joined in the case.

The court directed that all parties return to the positions they occupied before the earlier judgment and ordered that the substantive case be heard afresh after all necessary parties had been joined. Earlier on Friday, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, also called on NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and other opposition leaders to work together ahead of the 2027 general elections in a united effort against the ruling All Progressives Congress.