Atiku Unleashes Fury: Court Ruling on Party Deregistration a Threat to Democracy!
Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned a court judgment deregistering the ADC and other opposition parties, labeling it an attack on Nigeria's democracy and an attempt to weaken opposition before the 2027 elections. He highlighted that the ruling was delivered despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order staying proceedings, alleging political persecution by the Tinubu administration.
Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has vehemently condemned a recent court judgment ordering the deregistration of the ADC and four other opposition political parties. Describing the ruling as a direct assault on Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, Atiku asserted that it represents a calculated attempt to weaken opposition forces in anticipation of the 2027 general election.
In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the judgment undermines fundamental principles of political pluralism and the rule of law. He highlighted a critical procedural flaw, insisting that the judgment was delivered despite a subsisting order from the Court of Appeal which had explicitly stayed further proceedings in the matter. Atiku characterized the ruling as a dangerous escalation of authoritarian tactics and a blatant attack on the nation's democratic framework.
He elaborated on the legal anomaly, pointing out that on May 22, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Abuja had granted an application for a stay of further proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, pending the hearing and determination of an appeal. According to Atiku, the implication of such an order is unequivocal: a stay of proceedings freezes all subsequent steps in the case, including the delivery of judgment. He warned that any action taken in defiance of this order raises profound questions regarding respect for judicial hierarchy and fidelity to the rule of law.
The former Vice President contended that the judgment not only contradicted a subsisting appellate order but also struck at the very foundation of legal certainty and constitutional governance. He cautioned that if court orders could be disregarded at will, the rule of law itself would be in grave peril, threatening the stability and integrity of Nigeria's legal system.
Atiku further alleged that the ruling forms part of a broader pattern of political persecution, designed to systematically weaken opposition parties well before the next election cycle. He explicitly accused the Tinubu administration of being singularly focused on eliminating major political opponents ahead of 2027, prioritizing its political survival over the urgent needs of governance. He argued that the government had failed to adequately address pressing national challenges, including pervasive insecurity, economic hardship, widespread poverty, high unemployment rates, and the declining purchasing power of Nigerians.
“Rather than confronting the mounting crises facing the nation, the government appears consumed by a desperate quest to neutralise every viable opposition platform. This is not governance. It is political elimination by other means,” Atiku stated, underscoring his belief that democratic institutions are being pressured and state power is increasingly being misused for political survival rather than national development.
Calling on members of the ADC and all supporters of democratic governance, Atiku urged them to remain resolute. He reaffirmed the party's commitment to pursuing all legal and constitutional avenues to challenge the judgment. He emphasized that the ongoing struggle extends beyond narrow partisan interests, framing it as a crucial battle for the soul of Nigerian democracy itself, a contest between advocates of freedom of choice and those seeking to impose political uniformity through intimidation and institutional capture.
In a final appeal, Atiku called upon the judiciary, civil society organizations, the media, and all Nigerians to remain vigilant against any attempts to undermine democratic institutions for partisan ends. He passionately declared that Nigeria’s democracy, hard-won and precious, must not be surrendered cheaply. He concluded by asserting that no amount of political desperation can override the Constitution, extinguish the opposition, or silence the democratic aspirations of millions of Nigerians who desire meaningful change.