Atiku Abubakar Returns to Nigeria

Former Vice President and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has returned to Nigeria following a brief trip abroad.

His return was announced on Saturday by former presidential aide Lauretta Onochie, who shared the news on her Facebook page alongside photographs of the former vice president.

In her post, Onochie welcomed Atiku back to the country, expressing optimism about his political future.

Meanwhile, Atiku has strongly criticised the recent court decision affecting the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), describing it as part of an alleged effort by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

The former vice president argued that attempts to prevent the emergence of new political parties through the courts reflect what he called a desperate bid to establish a one-party system in Nigeria.

His comments followed Friday’s ruling by a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

Justice Isah Dashen ruled that the court’s earlier judgment, delivered on December 10, 2025, affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which was not joined as a party in the original suit.

Reacting through a statement issued by his media office on Saturday, Atiku said he was not surprised by the ruling, insisting that it forms part of a broader strategy to weaken the opposition and create an uneven political environment before the 2027 elections.

He maintained that any attempt to suppress political competition or limit Nigerians’ democratic choices could threaten the country’s democratic stability.

According to Atiku, free, fair and credible elections remain the foundation of democracy, warning that any move to undermine citizens’ right to choose their leaders could lead to political unrest and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

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