Atiku tells Tinubu that Buhari and Jonathan never deregistered opposition parties.

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), urged President Bola Tinubu to take a cue from former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, noting that neither had deregistered opposition parties.

He made the appeal on Saturday after a court move sought to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The former vice‑president warned that efforts to limit political competition violate democratic principles and risk eroding public confidence in elections.

“Former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari never deregistered opposition political parties. Copy and learn from them.”

“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 said.