Reps Accuse ‘Desperate Politicians’ Of Using Courts To Derail Opposition

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Caucus in the House of Representatives have urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to caution judges against being used by politicians to undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement in Abuja by caucus leader Fred Agbedi, the lawmakers expressed concern over what they described as “a disturbing trend of judicial interference” in the internal affairs of political parties.

They warned that such actions could destabilize the country’s democratic system.

The statement followed a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that refused to stop the PDP from holding its national convention but nonetheless declared that any steps taken by the party while the suit was pending would be null and void.

The case, filed by PDP members Austine Nwachukwu of Imo State, Amah Abraham Nnanna of Abia State, and Turnah George, the party’s South-South Secretary, sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to prevent the PDP from holding meetings or conventions pending determination of their substantive suit.

The lawmakers said the pronouncements by Justice James Omotosho could embolden anti-democratic forces trying to derail the opposition party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

“It is worrisome that while the court refused to grant the restraining order requested by the plaintiffs, it still made pronouncements that could provide legal cover for those intent on halting the PDP’s democratic processes,” the caucus said.

They urged the NJC to “act decisively to prevent abuse of the judicial process” and safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

“The survival of our democracy depends on the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary,” the statement added.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji