Courts Must Not Become Instruments For Eliminating Political Alternatives — YIAGA Africa Warns Over ADC Judgment
The Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, has said the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the processes that led to the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate raises serious concerns about the growing “judicialisation” of political competition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Itodo said while the courts have a constitutional responsibility to resolve political disputes, Nigerians must be concerned about the increasing use of litigation to determine who can participate in elections.
“I would hesitate to conclude that this judgement is part of a deliberate plot to muzzle the opposition without concrete evidence. However, the cumulative effect of these legal battles is the shrinking of political competition and the restriction of voter choice,” he said.
He warned that the contest for political power was gradually shifting from the ballot box to the courtroom.
“My greatest concern is that we are gradually shifting the contest for political power from the ballot box to the courtroom. The courts must protect democratic competition, not become instruments for eliminating political alternatives before Nigerians cast their votes,” Itodo said.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Thursday nullified all the processes that led to the emergence of Atiku as ADC presidential candidate and voided the emergence of former Senate President David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and others as national officers of the party.
