Accuses Tinubu of Plot to Deregister NDC through Court
- Safiu Kehinde
The Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has charged the judiciary against damaging their reputation by being used by politicians for short-term gain.
Atiku gave the charge as he accused President Bola Tinubu of orchestrating the deregistration plot against the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) by using the court
The former Vice President made the allegation in reaction to the Kogi Federal High Court”s nullification of its initial order on the registration of the NDC.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, described the development as evidence of the desperate determination of Tinubu to impose a de facto one-party state in Nigeria, against the democratic wishes and aspirations of Nigerians.
The ex-Vice President said that he is not surprised by the disturbing situation.
He warned that this may have grave consequences if the sinister plot to weaken opposition parties in order to help Tinubu have his way in the 2027 election, comes to fruition.
Atiku advised judges to resist being used by dishonorable politicians who are bent on destroying the hard-earned democracy in the country.
“Governments will come and go. Hence, the judiciary must guard her integrity as the last hope of the masses.
“Don’t allow unscrupulous politicians to stain your reputation for their own short-term gain at the expense of justice.
“The judiciary is the last hope of the people. Let’s avoid anything that is capable of ruining the credibility and reputation of our courts; not for a messy pot of pottage or love of lucre.
“There are great judges in Nigeria, but 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,” Atiku said.
The ADC candidate for the 2027 Presidential Election noted that the 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 explained further 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.”
Atiku however urged Tinubu to borrow a leaf from the late President Muhammadu Buhari, who despite being a retired military officer turned politician, never deregistered any opposition party.
He also cited former President Goodluck Jonathan, who lived by a non-violent mantra that political ambition should not be worth the blood of any citizen.
“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 reminded Tinubu.
“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’re committed to free and fair elections in 2027,” Atiku stated.