Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to follow the examples of former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari regarding opposition parties.
Atiku made the statement while reacting to efforts to challenge the existence of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, through legal action.
The former Vice President said attempts to limit political competition could weaken democratic values and affect public trust in the electoral system.
Former presidents cited in political argument
According to Atiku, both Jonathan and Buhari allowed opposition parties to operate during their administrations and did not take steps to remove them from the political space.
He advised the current administration to maintain a democratic environment where parties can compete freely.
Atiku speaks on election competition
The ADC candidate argued that leaders who have strong public support should not fear open political competition.
He said governments should focus on delivering good policies and improving citizens’ lives rather than limiting opposition voices.
NDC faces legal challenge
The comments come amid discussions surrounding the legal moves targeting the NDC, a political platform linked with preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The issue has generated reactions among political actors as parties position themselves ahead of future elections.
