Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised the judgment seeking to deregister the African Democratic Congress and several other opposition political parties, describing it as a direct attack on Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the ADC, said the ruling was troubling and should concern every Nigerian who believes in the rule of law, political competition and constitutional government.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President alleged that the judgment was part of a wider plot to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the development was even more disturbing because, according to him, the judgment was delivered despite a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal staying further proceedings in the matter.
Atiku stated that on May 22, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Abuja granted an application staying proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 pending the hearing and determination of an appeal before it.
He argued that once a higher court had ordered a stay of proceedings, no further step ought to have been taken in the case, including the delivery of judgment.
According to him, any action taken in defiance of such an order raises serious questions about respect for the judicial process and the hierarchy of courts.
“The judgment represents a dangerous escalation of authoritarian tactics and a blatant assault on Nigeria’s democracy,” Atiku said.
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“What makes the situation even more disturbing is that this judgment was purportedly delivered despite a clear and subsisting order of the Court of Appeal.”
The former Vice President warned that disregarding court orders because they are inconvenient to those in power could put the entire justice system at risk.
He said the matter had gone beyond the fate of one political party, stressing that it now touched on the survival of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of focusing more on weakening opposition platforms than addressing the worsening problems facing the country.
He listed insecurity, economic hardship, poverty, unemployment and the declining purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians as issues that should command the attention of government.
Rather than tackle those challenges, he alleged, the government was deploying state institutions to frustrate political opponents.
“This is not governance. It is political elimination by other means,” he said.
Atiku said Nigerians could see what was happening, adding that opposition parties were being targeted while democratic institutions were coming under pressure.
He urged members of the ADC, supporters of the party and other Nigerians who believe in democratic competition not to be discouraged by the ruling.
The former Vice President said the party would continue to explore all lawful and constitutional options to defend itself and protect Nigeria’s democratic space.
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He described the struggle as one that goes beyond party politics, saying it was a battle to preserve freedom of choice and prevent what he called political uniformity through intimidation.
“The battle before us transcends political parties. It is a battle for the soul of Nigerian democracy,” Atiku said.
He also called on the judiciary, civil society groups, the media and patriotic Nigerians to remain alert and resist any attempt to use public institutions for partisan advantage.
Atiku maintained that Nigeria’s democracy was achieved through sacrifice and must not be allowed to collapse under political pressure.
He added that no amount of desperation could override the Constitution, silence opposition voices or extinguish the desire of millions of Nigerians for political change.
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