The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on judicial officers and legal practitioners to defend the rule of law following a court order directing the deregistration of five political parties.
The former governor made the plea in a statement shared on his X handle on Monday.
Obi argued that the judgment further erodes public confidence in the nation’s judiciary and urged them to rise up to the occasion.
“To our judges, legal luminaries, senior advocates, and lawyers: this is your moment. Rise, defend the rule of law, take back your country!” Obi said.
Obi expressed concern over what he described as the systematic collapse of Nigerian institutions, drawing a parallel to the controversial removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen. He noted that such actions signal to the international community that the country’s judiciary is vulnerable to political influence.
According to Obi, an unpredictable judicial system deters economic investment more than security or policy risks. He noted that businesses now frequently request foreign jurisdictions to govern their contracts due to a lack of trust in domestic systems, and he explicitly criticized the ruling against the political parties.
He stated, “The federal High Court Judgement ordering the de-registration of the ADC and other political parties is just one of those activities that further reduces the common man’s trust in our legal systems,” adding that it should be reversed.
He pledged a commitment to restoring judicial independence, ensuring the legal system remains impartial and accessible to all citizens.
Earlier in the day, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, and Zenith Labour Party.
The ruling originated from a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators. The plaintiffs argued that the five parties failed to meet the constitutional thresholds outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
The former lawmakers demonstrated to the court that the affected parties performed poorly during the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections. Specifically, the former lawmakers said the parties failed to win at least 25 percent of the votes in any state during the presidential election or secure at least one elective seat at the local, state, or national government level.
Justice Lifu granted the plaintiffs’ prayers, restraining the affected parties from conducting campaigns, rallies, or primaries, and barring INEC from recognizing them in any official capacity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi’s statement reads in full:
Coping with the systematic collapse of our institutions.
When the controversy surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, unfolded, I expressed a concern to a friend: that the greatest damage might not be immediate, but the message it sends about the sanctity and independence of our institutions to the world.
Strong economies are built on trust. Investors can manage security risks, policy risks, and even market risks. What they fear most is uncertainty in the rule of law and a judiciary that is perceived to be vulnerable to political pressure.
Today, many Nigerians have lost confidence in systems that should protect them. Businesses increasingly request that their contracts be governed by foreign jurisdictions because they have greater confidence in those institutions than in our own. That should concern every patriot.
We must never sacrifice our sacred institutions on the altar of politics. Nations rise when institutions are stronger than individuals. “The federal High Court Judgement ordering the de-registration of the ADC and other political parties is just one of those activities that further reduces the common man’s trust in our legal systems” it should be reversed.
I pledge that we will restore the dignity, independence, and integrity of the Judiciary. The common man must have a voice. The business community must be protected from legal uncertainty and intimidation. Justice must be impartial, accessible, and respected by all.
To our judges, legal luminaries, senior advocates, and lawyers: this is your moment. Rise, defend the rule of law, take back your country!
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO