Atiku says Tinubu’s ‘true colours’ exposed over NDC deregistration bid

FORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of working to weaken political opposition, alleging that the administration is pushing Nigeria towards a one-party state.

Atiku’s remarks followed a ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside its December 10, 2025 judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Isah Dashen held that the Peace Movement Party should have been joined in the suit because its interests were directly affected by the case. The court consequently restored the status quo and ordered a fresh hearing with all relevant parties included.

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Reacting in a statement issued on Saturday, Atiku described the court development as evidence of what he called the ‘true colours’ of the Tinubu administration. He alleged that the government was undermining democratic competition ahead of the 2027 general election.

“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 said.

He argued that citizens’ ability to participate in free, fair and credible elections remains the foundation of democracy, warning that any effort to restrict that freedom of choice could lead to chaos and anarchy.

According to him, Tinubu, who once championed democracy during military rule, cannot now act in a manner that undermines democratic values.

“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,” he said.

The former vice-president further maintained that any move to reduce political competition or limit voters’ choices constitutes a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

He urged President Tinubu to emulate former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, noting that despite fierce political contests during their administrations, neither sought to deregister opposition parties.

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“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 added.

He also accused the president of abandoning the democratic ideals he once defended and called on the judiciary to resist political pressure. Atiku warned that public confidence in the courts could be eroded if judges fail to uphold the rule of law and maintain their independence.