The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused the ruling party of engineering crises within opposition parties following a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark.
Obi described the judgment as unsettling, warning that uncertainty over political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections could undermine democracy.
In a statement titled ‘Do Not Undermine Democracy’, the former Anambra State governor said he was not challenging the authority of the court to determine disputes but expressed concern about the timing of the ruling.
He alleged that the ruling party was behind efforts to destabilise opposition parties, claiming that similar tactics had been deployed against him in the Labour Party and were continuing to restrict civic space for opposition campaigns.
Obi also alleged that violence was being used against opposition politicians during their campaigns.
“One mark of democracy is that at all times, it is voters and not courts that choose leaders,” he said.
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While expressing confidence in the judiciary, the NDC presidential candidate appealed for the protection of democratic institutions and the right of voters to freely choose their preferred candidates.
He said Nigeria’s democracy should be strengthened, particularly amid the spread of military rule in parts of West Africa, arguing that opposition parties should be allowed to operate rather than be weakened.
Obi pledged that, if elected president, he would take a special interest in ensuring that opposition parties remained stable and that their candidates were not persecuted or pushed out of electoral contests.
He called for an environment that allows opposition parties to thrive and participate freely in the electoral process.
The NDC had named Obi its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, while its National Campaign Council recently appointed him co-chairman. Voice of Nigeria +1
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