Paul Ibe, an aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has urged opposition leaders, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, to unite ahead of the 2027 election following a Federal High Court ruling that set aside its earlier judgment directing the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.

In a post on X on Friday, the aide described the Lokoja court’s decision as a “wake-up call” for the opposition, alleging that President Bola Tinubu was pursuing a de facto one-party state.

He claimed the ruling signalled that there was “no hiding place for the opposition” and accused the President of seeking to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 election.

Ibe further alleged that Tinubu intended to “obliterate the opposition” if allowed to have his way politically, and warned that Nigeria’s democracy was under threat.

He, however, said it was not too late for opposition parties to harmonise their strengths ahead of the 2027 elections, urging leaders such as Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and others to work together if they hoped to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ibe wrote: “The decision of the Federal High Court Lokoja in settting 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!”

DAILY POST reported Friday’s ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, where Justice Isah Dashen set aside the court’s earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the NDC.

The judge held that the earlier judgment affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, PMP, which claimed ownership of the logo adopted by the NDC but was not joined as a party in the suit.

Counsel to the Peace Movement Party, C.S. Ekeocha, said the ruling restored all parties to the position they occupied before the December 10, 2025 judgment and directed that all necessary parties be joined before the substantive case is heard afresh.

He added that all actions taken by INEC pursuant to the earlier judgment, including the recognition and registration of the NDC, have been reversed pending the final determination of the suit.

Ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, has been urged to remain politically neutral and not to allow the palace to become a platform for partisan activities.

The appeal was contained in a statement by the Oroki United Front on Friday in Osogbo.

The statement signed by the group’s Coordinator, Abass Jayeola, followed a purported directive for the Olurokis to attend a meeting with the Accord Campaign Council at the Ataoja’s palace.

According to the statement, “the meeting was reportedly convened under the agenda, Existing understanding between the ACCORD Party and Osogboland and any other relevant matters”.

The group maintained that “the Ataoja should remain a father to all residents of Osogbo irrespective of their political affiliations. It is our wish that the Ataoja stays off politics and be a father to all, like every other traditional rulers in the state”.

It argued that the royal palace should serve as a centre for discussions on the welfare and development of Osogbo rather than a venue for political party meetings, adding that, “The palace should be home for everyone, not an avenue to hold political party meetings.”

Oroki United Front also referred to a previous allegation of an assassination attempt involving the monarch, claiming that the matter had been resolved by the police.

“Such incidents should not be repeated in order to protect the reputation of the traditional institution. Ataoja should emulate other traditional rulers in the state by maintaining neutrality.

“The Ooni of Ife, the Orangun of Ila, the Oluwo of Iwo and the Ogiyan of Ejigbo are examples of monarchs who had received politicians from different political parties without taking sides,” the statement said.

It also said any engagement with political actors should focus on issues affecting Osogbo, including the implementation of promises allegedly made by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke before the 2022 election.

The statement called on Baales, compound heads, youth leaders and community representatives expected at the meeting to remain non-partisan and question politicians on matters affecting the town.

“Osogbo is not for sale. We are watching you. Our ancestors are also watching you and Ataoja should seek explanations on issues affecting Osogbo’s interests, including infrastructure development, boundary concerns and the location of government facilities.

“The Ataoja should ensure that discussions at the meeting address matters relating to the development and territorial integrity of Osogbo rather than personal or political interests. Failure to raise such issues could create the impression that the monarch is speaking for himself rather than the community,” the statement declared.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of hurrying legislation on state police to create the impression that it is tackling Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party described the State Police Bill as a “panicky” and politically driven move, rather than a well-thought-out constitutional reform.

While restating its support for state policing in principle, the ADC said the reform should not be marketed as an instant solution to banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

It argued that the policy requires strong institutional safeguards before it can be implemented.

The party accused the Federal Government of repackaging “a long-standing national consensus as a bold new initiative” and of pushing the constitutional amendment through the National Assembly without sufficient public consultation.

“What we are witnessing is a hurried response to a worsening security crisis, not the careful institutional planning required to build a functional, accountable and effective policing system,” the ADC stated.

The opposition party also questioned the timing of the move, asking why the Tinubu administration waited until “almost the end of its tenure” to pursue state police aggressively if it was genuinely committed to the reform.

The party maintained that passing a law alone would not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges.

It listed recruitment, training, funding, command structures, intelligence coordination, judicial oversight and correctional reforms as critical elements that cannot be built overnight.