Protests erupted at an Abuja court over a move to deregister an opposition party

Tension gripped the Federal High Court building in Abuja on Monday as protesters gathered to oppose ongoing legal efforts to revoke the registration of several opposition parties.

The demonstrators, operating under the banner of Concerned Northern Nigeria Stakeholders, gathered at the court complex in Wuse, chanting slogans and unfurling placards containing messages such as “No Opposition, No Elections,” “Tinubu, Let Our Democracy Breathe,” and “AGF Must Be Neutral.”

Security officers, including Department of State Services (DSS) officers, quickly blocked the court entrance, preventing protesters from gaining access to the premises.

Speaking to journalists during the protest, the group’s leader, Banki Sharrif, expressed deep concern over what he described as increasing threats to Nigeria’s democratic institutions, particularly the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said, “We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately cease all forms of interference, overt or covert, in the justice system. The judiciary must not be reduced to an instrument of political engineering. When justice is manipulated, then the country itself is on trial.

“A government that seeks to weaken the opposition shows a lack of confidence in its legitimacy. Democracy thrives on competition. Suppressing the opposition is not force; it is fear.

“Elections without a credible opposition are nothing more than a stage rehearsal. Democracy demands justice, openness and equal opportunities for all political actors.”

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Protesters insist that democracy cannot thrive in an atmosphere of intimidation or manipulation, and warn that weakening opposition parties will weaken the foundations of a functioning republic.

They further warned that reduced political plurality reflects a “lack of trust” in government, and reiterated that “democracy thrives on competition.”

On the role of Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Sharrif stressed the need for impartiality, and warned against any attempt to politicize the office.

“The Office of the Prosecutor General of the Federation must remain committed to neutrality and the rule of law. It must not be used as a weapon for political purposes.

“Once again, we are alarmed by moves that suggest the use of technicalities and administrative maneuvers to weaken or eliminate political parties, especially those with deep roots in Northern Nigeria.

“If the court grants legitimacy to such actions without strict adherence to due process and substantive justice, this would be seen as judicial endorsement of political exclusion. Such a method is dangerous, risks disenfranchisement, deepens divisions, and could trigger widespread unrest,” Sharrif warned.

The group also raised concerns about declining public trust in the justice system, and warned of wider consequences if the judiciary is deemed to have been compromised.

“When the justice system is seen as an extension of the executive branch, society will lose confidence in legal remedies. When the courts fail, the streets become courtrooms. No country can survive a collapse like this without serious consequences.

“We are closely monitoring every action of this administration and every court statement.”

The protest comes amid rising political tensions surrounding demands reportedly supported by the Attorney General, calling for the deregistration of several political parties.

In its submission to the Federal High Court, the AGF supported a case initiated by former MPs who asked INEC to cancel the registration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) along with several others, including the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labor Party.

According to the AGF, the continued existence of these parties allegedly contravenes the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system. He argued that INEC risks violating its constitutional responsibilities if it defends parties that fail to meet legal requirements.

The application was submitted through a legal team led by Prof. Joshua Olatoke (SAN) stated that as the legal head of the country, the AGF is obliged to ensure strict compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and other regulations governing political parties.