The National Judicial Council has been urged by the Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House of Representatives to warn judges who are being used by desperate politicians to sabotage Nigeria’s democratic process.
In a statement signed by its leader, Fred Agbedi (PDP-Bayelsa), the caucus made the call.
Mr. Agbedi stated that the country’s democratic stability is seriously threatened by the purported judiciary meddling in political parties’ internal matters.
According to him, the call was required after the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, recently refused to issue a temporary injunction that would have prevented the PDP from holding its planned meetings and national convention.
He added that after rejecting the interim injunction, the court proceeded to issue orders that counteract the advantages of his decision.
“Any action taken by the party in preparation for its national convention during the pendency of the suit shall be null and void,” the politician clarified, citing the court’s refusal to grant a request for a restraining order to block the next PDP convention.
Mr. Agbedi went on to say, “We are extremely concerned that despite numerous Supreme Court rulings prohibiting judges from meddling in political parties’ internal affairs, some judges still serve as tools in the hands of desperate politicians looking to undermine democracy and impose a one-party system on Africa’s largest democracy.
In order to prevent the biggest opposition political party in Nigeria from fielding candidates in the 2027 presidential and other elections, these statements blatantly give those opposed to the PDP national convention an advantage.
Therefore, they called on the National Judicial Council to take decisive action to stop any misuse of the legal system that would jeopardize Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. The independence, integrity, and impartiality of the court are essential to the survival of our democracy,” he stated.
According to the congressman, the NJC has a duty to make sure that no court is willingly used to undermine popular will or undermine political institutions.
