Tension flared on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja as demonstrators protested against moves to deregister opposition parties, warning of threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
The protesters, under the aegis of Concerned Northern Nigeria Stakeholders, gathered at the court premises in Wuse, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with messages including “No Opposition, No Election” and “Tinubu, Let Our Democracy Breathe.”
Security operatives, including personnel of the Department of State Services, barricaded the entrance and denied the group access to the court complex.
Addressing journalists, the group’s leader, Banki Sharrif, alleged interference in the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to respect due process.
He warned that weakening opposition parties could undermine democratic principles.
“Courts must never be reduced to instruments of political engineering. The moment justice is manipulated, the nation itself is placed on trial,” Sharrif said.
He added that elections without credible opposition would lack legitimacy, stressing that democracy depends on fairness, openness and competition.
The group also raised concerns about the role of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, calling for neutrality and adherence to the rule of law.
Sharrif cautioned against the use of legal technicalities to weaken political parties, warning that such actions could lead to disenfranchisement and unrest.
He further noted that public confidence in the judiciary could erode if courts are perceived as aligned with the executive arm of government.
“Where the judiciary is seen as an extension of the Executive, citizens lose faith in lawful remedies. When courts fail, the streets become the courtroom,” he said.
The protest comes amid heightened political tension following a suit supported by the Attorney General seeking the deregistration of several political parties.
Court filings before the Federal High Court show that the Attorney General backed a case filed by former lawmakers, asking the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four other parties.
Other parties listed in the suit include the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and the Zenith Labour Party.
According to court documents, the Attorney General argued that the continued existence of the affected parties violates provisions of the 1999 Constitution and undermines electoral integrity.
He maintained that the electoral body would be acting contrary to its constitutional duties if it retains parties that fail to meet legal requirements.
