“Come back to ADC, it’s not too late” — Atiku’s aide tells Obi, Kwankwaso after NDC deregistration

Media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has urged key opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, to unite ahead of the 2027 general election following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified an earlier judgment directing the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Reacting to Friday’s judgment by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Ibe described the decision as a major warning to opposition parties and political leaders preparing to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

In a post on X, he said the court ruling should serve as a wake-up call, warning that political developments ahead of the next general election should no longer be taken lightly.

According to him, the latest development highlights increasing pressure on opposition forces and underscores the urgent need for unity among leaders seeking political change in Nigeria.

Ibe accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to weaken opposition platforms and move the country toward a one-party system ahead of the 2027 elections.

He argued that opposition leaders must begin harmonising their strengths and building a formidable coalition if they hope to unseat the APC.

He wrote:

“The decision of the Federal High Court Lokoja in setting aside its earlier judgement on the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) should be a wake-up call that there is no hiding place for the opposition as the incompetent and clueless Tinubu @officialABAT sets his sights on enthroning a de facto one-party state.

“His message is loud and clear: that he will obliterate the opposition and destroy our hard-won democracy if he does not have his way in the 2027 election. It is not too late for the opposition to harmonize their strengths ahead of 2027 if the Yar’Adua 2.0 President Tinubu is to be retired to either Bourdillon or Iragbiji!”



The Federal High Court in Lokoja had earlier reversed its December 10, 2025 judgment compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.

Justice Isah Dashen ruled that the earlier judgment could not stand because it affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined as a party in the original suit.

The PMP had argued that the logo adopted by the NDC belonged to it, making its exclusion from the proceedings a significant procedural defect.

Counsel to the Peace Movement Party, C.S. Ekeocha, said the latest ruling restored all parties to the positions they occupied before the December 2025 judgment.

He added that every action taken by INEC based on the earlier ruling, including the recognition and registration of the NDC, has been reversed pending a fresh hearing of the substantive suit.

The court also directed that all relevant parties must be joined before the matter can proceed for determination.

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