,,,Says recent court rulings aimed at weakening opposition ahead of 2027
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — The Obidient Movement has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using the judiciary to weaken opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The movement alleged that recent court decisions involving the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) were politically motivated, claiming they reflected what it described as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s capture and weaponisation of the judiciary against the opposition.
The group specifically alleged that a High Court ruling in Lokoja was intended to prevent its principal, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from contesting the 2027 presidential election. It, however, insisted that both leaders would appear on the ballot.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said the judiciary was allowing itself to be used to undermine opposition parties.
Speaking at a press conference titled, “The Road to Anarchy: A Press Conference by the Obidient Movement on Recent Dangerous Judicial Pronouncements in Nigeria,” Tanko alleged that the judiciary had abandoned its role as an impartial arbiter by aligning with the APC to frustrate opposition politics.
According to him, the court action against the NDC came shortly after Peter Obi joined the party and was part of a broader attempt to weaken the opposition.
Tanko alleged that a suit filed by what he described as “a faceless entity” sought the deregistration of the NDC despite lacking the legal standing to institute the action.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this is a hatchet job by the present administration to ensure that our principal, Mr. Peter Obi, is not on the ballot in 2027,” he said.
The movement further alleged that the judiciary had become vulnerable to political influence.
“We are completely blunt: the Nigerian judiciary is actively surrendering itself to the dictation and caprices of the APC regime. It is no longer behaving as an impartial guardian of justice; it has been captured and weaponised as a tool of partisan warfare,” Tanko stated.
He warned that undermining judicial independence could threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
“The judiciary exists as the ultimate buffer between peace and chaos. It is the peacekeeping arm of civilised society. But if the judiciary outlives its usefulness and tells ordinary Nigerians that justice is available only to the highest bidder or the most powerful political interests, then it risks undermining public confidence in the rule of law,” he said.
The movement also accused the ruling APC of attempting to suppress political competition ahead of the next general election.
According to Tanko, the ruling party was allegedly deploying state institutions and judicial processes to weaken viable opposition parties because it feared a united opposition.
Despite its concerns, the Obidient Movement urged its supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
“Do not panic. Do not lose focus. We shall continue to defend democracy and the independence of the judiciary. Justice must prevail, and the will of the people must be respected,” he said.
Expressing confidence ahead of the 2027 elections, the group maintained that its preferred presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso would participate in the polls.
“The joint ticket of Mr. Peter Obi and Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso will be on the ballot in 2027. We remain committed to pursuing a democratic and peaceful process toward building a new Nigeria,” Tanko said.
