*** Calls for coordinated legal and civic resistance of the judgment
By Florencemary Nwabueze
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties-CNPP has issued a strongly-worded condemnation of Monday's Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of five political parties, warning that the ruling constitutes a "dangerous assault" on Nigeria's constitutional democracy and threatens the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abujaon Monday, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission-INEC to withdraw the registration of the African Democratic Congress-ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance-AA, Action Peoples Party-APP, and Zenith Labour Party-ZLP. The court ruled that the parties failed to secure 25 percent of votes in the last general elections, failing to meet constitutional requirements for continued recognition.
In a statement signed by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary Comrade James Ezema and issued on Tuesday, the CNPP condemned the judgment and criticized the active participation of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister Justice, Chief Fagbemi-SAN.
"This judgment represents not merely a legal controversy but a direct assault on Nigeria's constitutional democracy, multiparty political system, and the fundamental rights of citizens to freely associate and participate in the democratic process through political platforms of their choice.
"More disturbing is the active role played by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi-SAN, who did not merely remain a nominal defendant in the matter but reportedly deployed the weight and authority of his office to formally support a suit seeking the deregistration of opposition political parties.” the statement reads
CNPP also revealed its view of the development as a pattern to weaken the opposition parties and favour the ruling Party.
"What Nigerians are witnessing today increasingly resembles a full-scale state capture operation. A situation where formal institutions, legal frameworks, regulatory agencies and public authorities are manipulated by powerful political actors and their allies to secure predetermined political, economic and legal outcomes in their favour.
"Democracy ceases to exist in any meaningful sense when political competition is no longer determined by voters at the ballot box but by carefully orchestrated administrative and judicial maneuvers designed to eliminate competitors before elections even take place," the statement reads.
The coalition further raises concern over the future of electoral justice regarding the upcoming 2027 election.
"If opposition political parties can be threatened with extinction through legal processes seemingly supported by the highest law office in the country, what assurance exist that election disputes arising from the 2027 General elections will be adjudicated impartially?" the statement reads
Calling on legal and civic resistance, the CNPP said "This is not merely about the fate of five political parties, it is about the future of democracy itself. We urge all democratic stakeholders to immediately commence coordinated legal, constitutional, civic and political actions aimed at defending democratic norms, preserving political pluralism, and resisting any attempts to transform Nigeria into a one-party state through judicial, administrative, or institutional manipulation." the statement reads
CNPP also call on the international community and foreign missions to pay close attention to developments in Nigeria, arguing that the erosion of democratic principles currently unfolding is becoming more alarming than what many citizens experienced under previous military regimes.
"The CNPP stands firmly in defense of constitutional democracy, political pluralism, the rule of law, and the sovereign right of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders through open, transparent, competitive and credible elections. We insist that Nigeria's future must be determined by the people through the ballot box- not through institutional manipulation, political intimidation, or the selective deployment of state power." the statement reads