The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has expressed shock over a court ruling nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and actions taken under it, including the party’s primary process that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Obi, in a statement reacting to the judgment, said he was concerned about the implications of the ruling for Nigeria’s democracy, particularly with the general election only months away.
While acknowledging the authority of the judiciary, the former Anambra State governor said the timing of the decision had raised questions about the stability of the opposition and the need to ensure certainty in the electoral process.
He said: “One mark of democracy is that at all times, it is voters and not courts that choose leaders.”
Obi said he was not challenging the court’s decision but stressed the importance of protecting democratic institutions and ensuring that political parties could operate without undue interference.
He also expressed concern over what he described as attempts to destabilise opposition parties, drawing parallels with developments in the Labour Party.
The NDC candidate said the judiciary remained an important institution in a democracy and urged Nigerians to trust the courts while ensuring that their decisions did not undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Reflecting on the history of military rule in West Africa, Obi warned against actions that could weaken democratic institutions and diminish the role of opposition parties.
He said that, if elected president, he would pay special attention to ensuring a stable political environment in which opposition parties could thrive without persecution.
Obi added that a healthy democracy required a strong opposition capable of holding the government accountable and offering Nigerians alternative leadership.
He said: “This is a time to strengthen our democracy by allowing the opposition to thrive.”
