Atiku Alleges Tinubu Plot to Deregister NDC, INEC Awaits Crucial Judgment

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) finds itself at a pivotal juncture, currently awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a Federal High Court judgment. This recent ruling set aside an earlier order that had directed the commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. The electoral body has indicated that it will not issue any official pronouncement on the complex matter until its legal department has thoroughly reviewed the court’s decision.

Adedayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, confirmed in a chat with journalists on Saturday that the commission is aware of widespread media reports concerning the judgment. This ruling was delivered by the Federal High Court in Lokoja on Friday, June 26. However, Oketola emphasized that despite being informed by media, INEC has not yet officially received the certified copy of the court’s order. He further clarified that once the CTC is received, the legal department will undertake an exhaustive study of the judgment before advising the commission on the appropriate course of action, urging the public to await INEC's formal position.

The specifics of the court’s decision, delivered by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, involved setting aside its own previous judgment from December 10, 2025. The earlier judgment had mandated INEC to register the NDC. Justice Dashen's recent ruling was based on the finding that the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP) were significantly affected by the initial judgment. This was because the PMP had not been joined in the suit, despite its claim of ownership over the logo that the NDC had relied upon to secure its registration order. Consequently, the court ordered that all parties involved be restored to the positions they held prior to the December 2025 judgment, and directed a fresh hearing of the substantive suit, ensuring all necessary parties are properly joined.

The ruling has not been met with silence, generating widespread reactions from various opposition leaders and political stakeholders. The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has vociferously rejected the court’s decision and promptly announced their plans to appeal. Senator Moses Cleopas, the party’s National Chairman, firmly maintained that the party had not been deregistered. He insisted that the trial court inherently lacked the jurisdiction to revisit a matter on which it had already delivered a final judgment, arguing against the legality of the set-aside order.

Other prominent opposition figures, including the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Dickson, have also weighed in, describing the ruling as a direct threat to the essence of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. These figures have collectively vowed to challenge the decision through all available legal channels, underscoring their commitment to upholding democratic principles and the right to form political associations.

Adding a broader political dimension to the controversy, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a prominent political figure and former presidential candidate, has described the judicial attempt to deregister the NDC as stark evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s desperate determination. Atiku alleged that Tinubu aims to impose a de facto one-party state in Nigeria, a move he believes runs contrary to the democratic wishes and aspirations of Nigerian citizens. Reacting to the unfolding events on Saturday, Atiku expressed no surprise at the "disturbing situation," warning that such a "sinister plot" to weaken opposition parties could have grave consequences, especially in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Atiku underscored the fundamental importance of citizens’ participation in free, fair, and credible polls as the very "soul of democracy." He cautioned that any attempt to stifle this freedom of choice could ignite "chaos and anarchy." He further elaborated, stating that "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."

The former Vice President urged President Tinubu to draw lessons from past Nigerian leaders, specifically citing the late President Muhammadu Buhari, who, despite his military background, never deregistered any opposition party during his tenure. Similarly, Atiku evoked the example of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who championed a non-violent mantra, emphasizing that "political ambition should not be worth the blood of any citizen." Atiku directly challenged Tinubu, asserting, "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." He concluded this line of argument by stating, "Tinubu cannot be a champion of democracy under military dictatorship and now become the worst enemy of everything that democracy stands for. You can’t attempt to rule the people against their will and still pretend that you are committed to free and fair elections in 2027."

Beyond his critique of the executive, Atiku Abubakar also extended a crucial piece of advice to the judiciary. He implored judges "to resist being used by dishonorable politicians who are bent on destroying the hard-earned democracy in the country." Emphasizing the transient nature of governments, he reminded the judiciary to "guard her integrity as the last hope of the masses." He issued a strong caution: "Don’t allow unscrupulous politicians to stain your reputation for their own short-term gain at the expense of justice." Atiku acknowledged the presence of "great judges in Nigeria," but warned that "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."

In conclusion, while the political reactions continue to reverberate, INEC has reiterated its firm position: it will maintain its reserve on the matter until its legal team officially receives and meticulously reviews the Certified True Copy of the judgment. Only then will the commission determine and communicate its definitive next line of action, awaiting the necessary legal documentation to proceed.