Atiku to Tinubu: Buhari, Jonathan never deregistered opposition parties, learn from them
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to emulate the democratic conduct of former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, saying neither administration sought to deregister opposition political parties despite intense political competition.
Atiku made the call while reacting to what he described as an attempt to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) through the courts, alleging that the move was aimed at weakening opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Atiku Media Office, the former vice president described the reported move as part of a broader agenda to establish a one-party state, warning that such actions could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
He said attempts to restrict political competition run contrary to democratic principles and could erode public confidence in the electoral process.
According to Atiku, Nigerians should be free to participate in credible elections and choose leaders without undue interference.
He alleged that the reported efforts against the NDC contradicted the President’s stated commitment to democratic values.
The Waziri of Adamawa urged Tinubu to take a cue from the late President Muhammadu Buhari, who, despite being a retired military officer turned politician, did not deregister any opposition party during his administration.
He also cited former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying the former leader consistently maintained that political ambition should never come at the cost of human lives.
“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 argued that leaders should uphold democratic principles by allowing open political competition rather than attempting to weaken opposition parties.
The former vice president also appealed to members of the judiciary to safeguard the independence and integrity of the courts.
He urged judges to resist any attempt by politicians to use the judicial process for partisan purposes, stressing that the judiciary remains a critical institution in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku warned that the actions of a few judicial officers could affect public perception of the institution and called for strict adherence to the rule of law. The statement was signed by the Atiku Media Office in Abuja.
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