NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has warned against actions that could undermine Nigeria’s democracy, insisting that voters, rather than courts, should determine who leads the country.
Obi made the remarks in a statement published on his X account on Thursday, following a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja nullifying the emergence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chairman and all actions taken by him.
Obi said he received the news of the ruling with shock, describing it as unsettling, particularly with a general election approaching.
“I have received with shock the news of an order by the Federal High Court in Abuja nullifying the emergence of the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and all the actions he has taken. This is unsettling and surprising,” he said.
Although he said he did not challenge the court’s decision, Obi expressed concern about the timing of the ruling, arguing that uncertainty surrounding political parties and their candidates could affect the electoral process.
“I do not challenge the ruling of the court. The court of law is constituted to determine disputes according to the law. My concern is that three months before a general election, it is in the public interest to have certainty,” he stated.
The former Anambra State governor alleged that the ruling party was deliberately creating instability within opposition parties, claiming that similar tactics had been used against him in the Labour Party.
“This instability is obviously engineered by the ruling party, just as they have done against me in the Labour Party and continue to do so to close down civic space for a robust campaign,” Obi said.
He also alleged that the same pattern was responsible for violence against opposition candidates during political campaigns.
Emphasising the importance of electoral participation, Obi said democracy must allow citizens to determine their leaders through free and fair elections.
“One mark of democracy is that at all times, it is voters and not courts that choose leaders,” he said.
Obi, however, reiterated his confidence in the judiciary, noting that he had consistently demonstrated respect for the institution.
He appealed to the judiciary and other stakeholders to protect democratic institutions and ensure that political candidates are not denied the opportunity to participate in elections.
“The sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, in the midst of encroaching military rule in West Africa, should strengthen our resolve to protect opposition politics and not stamp out opposition parties,” he added.
Obi further pledged that, if elected president, he would prioritise the stability of opposition parties and ensure that their candidates were not persecuted out of electoral contests.
He said the country needed to strengthen its democratic institutions by creating an environment where opposition parties could operate freely.
“This is a time to strengthen our democracy by allowing the opposition to thrive,” he said.
He concluded his statement with his familiar political slogan, declaring: “A new Nigeria is POssible.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
