Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of betraying the democratic struggle, saying the man who fought military rule is now “the worst enemy of everything democracy stands for.”

Atiku’s attack followed a Federal High Court ruling on Saturday that vacated its December 10, 2025 judgment which had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.

In a statement, the presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress, ADC, said the court’s reversal exposed Tinubu’s “true colours” and a plot by his government to suffocate opposition ahead of 2027.

“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 alleged that the administration was working through unnamed agents to frustrate rival parties and narrow political space.

“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 warned.

Atiku challenged the President to test his popularity in an open contest if he believes his policies are working.

“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,” he stated.

The exchange marks a fresh escalation between the Presidency and opposition figures as political maneuvering for the 2027 general elections intensifies.