Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of undermining Nigeria's democratic process, alleging that the Federal Government is using state institutions to weaken opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku made the allegations in a statement issued at the weekend following a Federal High Court ruling that vacated its earlier judgment of December 10, 2025, which had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
The former presidential candidate described the court's decision as a setback for democratic development, arguing that it reflected what he called the Tinubu administration's determination to frustrate political competition and deny Nigerians broader electoral choices.
According to Atiku, the President has failed to uphold the democratic principles he once championed during Nigeria's struggle against military rule.
"You cannot claim to have fought for democracy under military rule and now become the worst enemy of everything democracy stands for," Atiku said.
He further alleged that the administration was working through unnamed agents to suppress opposition voices and prevent the emergence of credible alternatives ahead of the next general election.
Atiku warned that any attempt to restrict citizens' participation in a free, fair and credible electoral process could undermine the country's democratic stability.
"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.
The former vice president also challenged President Tinubu to provide a level political playing field if he is confident that his administration enjoys widespread public support.
"If your policies have truly improved the lives of Nigerians, then you should have nothing to fear from a free, fair and competitive election in 2027," Atiku added.
The latest exchange marks another chapter in the growing political rivalry between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition leaders as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from the Presidency or the All Progressives Congress to Atiku's allegations. INEC had also not issued a fresh statement on the court's ruling.
