The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Atiku Media Office in Abuja and shared on X by his media aide, Paul Ibe. In the statement, Atiku claimed that the reported move to deregister the opposition party through the courts reflected what he described as the administration’s determination to cripple political opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the former vice president, any attempt to deny Nigerians a broad range of political choices or weaken opposition parties poses a danger to democratic governance and could undermine the nation’s political stability.
“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,” he said.
Atiku argued that recent political developments and the conduct of the current administration had reinforced concerns over its commitment to democratic principles, adding that efforts to silence opposition voices could have grave consequences for the country.
“Participation of citizens in a free, fair and credible poll is the soul of democracy, and any attempt to stifle such freedom of choice could be a trigger to chaos and anarchy,” he stated.
He urged President Tinubu to take a cue from former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, noting that despite intense political rivalry during their administrations, neither government sought to deregister opposition parties.
According to Atiku, any administration that enjoys public support and has delivered on its promises should not fear open electoral 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.
The former vice president further accused Tinubu of abandoning the democratic values he once championed during Nigeria’s years under 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.”
Atiku also appealed to members of the judiciary to resist political interference and uphold the integrity of the courts, stressing that the judicial arm of government must remain impartial regardless of changes in political leadership.
“Governments will come and go. Hence, the judiciary must guard her integrity as the last hope of the masses,” he said.
While acknowledging the professionalism of many judges, Atiku warned that the conduct of a few judicial officers who allegedly allow themselves to be influenced by politicians could erode public trust in the justice system.
“There are great judges in Nigeria, but the unchecked excesses of some who allow themselves to become judicial swords on the hands of politicians are capable of damaging the larger image of the judiciary,” he added.
The statement followed Friday’s ruling by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which nullified the court’s earlier judgment delivered on December 10, 2025, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
Justice Dashen held that the earlier judgment affected the interests of the Peace Movement Party, which had claimed ownership of the logo relied upon in securing the registration order but was not joined as a party in the suit. The court consequently restored all parties to their positions before the December 2025 judgment and ordered a fresh hearing of the substantive case with all necessary parties included.
Following the ruling, Paul Ibe had called on the NDC presidential candidate and his running mate, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and other opposition leaders to close ranks ahead of the 2027 elections. He maintained that there was still sufficient time for opposition figures to build a united front capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress at the next presidential poll.