Atiku Abubakar, a presidential candidate and former vice-president, says Nigerians are “seeing the true colours” of President Bola Tinubu after a court ruling involving the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, vacates a December 10, 2025 judgment that had compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party. Presiding Judge Isah Dashen holds that the Peace Movement Party should have been joined because its interests are affected by the case. The court therefore orders a return to the status quo and directs a fresh hearing with all necessary parties.
In a statement on Saturday, Atiku claims the development reflects attempts by the Tinubu administration to weaken political opposition and reduce democratic competition, which he warns could contribute to a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general election. He urges judicial independence and says the judiciary must resist political pressure to preserve public confidence. Atiku also calls on Tinubu to emulate former presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, whom he says did not seek to deregister opposition parties despite political rivalry.
