The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has asked President Bola Bola Tinubu to learn from former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, saying they never deregistered opposition political parties.

Atiku made the call on Saturday in reaction to an attempt to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, through the courts.

The former Vice President said attempts to restrict political competition run contrary to democratic principles and could erode public confidence in the electoral process.

“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.

A member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Taofeek Mustapha, was shot on Saturday by suspected political thugs in Osogbo.

This is as the state governorship election scheduled to take place in August draws closer.

The State Police Command confirmed the incident which happened in the Oluode-Aranyin area of the state.

The attack is said to have heightened concerns as rival political camps clash across the state.

The victim, who survived the shooting pointed out that he was targeted by the thugs because he was wearing a political cap associated with the APC candidate.

“I put on the AMBO crested cap when the shooting occurred. Everyone ran to safety and they pursued me because I was wearing the APC candidate cap. I did not wait but was shot. I cried for help before they retrieved back into the vehicle and drove away,” he said.

The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that an official investigation has already commenced to unravel those behind the attack.

Recall that the police, alongside other security agencies and electoral stakeholders, convened a peace meeting to encourage political parties to commit to a peaceful campaign and election.

However, the ruling Accord Party and the APC did not show up for the meeting.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has won the entire 24 chairmanship seats and 240 councillorship positions in the just concluded local government elections in Gombe state.

The State Independent Electoral Commission, GOSIEC, made the announcement on Saturday in Gombe, the state capital.

According to GOSIEC, six political parties fielded candidates for the chairmanship elections.

The parties include the APC; Youth Party, YP and the National Rescue Movement, NRM.

Others are Zenith Labour Party, ZLP; African Action Congress, AAC, and Democratic Liberation Alliance, DLA.