Abuja: Coalition of Nigeria Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) has advised the judiciary to maintain its independence, as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. The coalition made the call during a peaceful protest at the Federal High Court on Monday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the coalition also called on the judiciary not to allow itself to be used against the opposition political parties, but to ensure that the constitutional rights of the opposition were protected for the benefit of Nigeria’s democracy. Convener of the coalition, Mr. Edene Maduabuchi, while addressing newsmen during the protest, said the action was aimed at expressing the group’s concerns over what he described as the ‘stifling of opposition parties’ and other socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria. Maduabuchi alleged there were ongoing attempts to use judicial procedures to distract opposition parties, especially African Democratic Congress (ADC), to prevent it from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections. He warned that no democracy could survive without a viable opposition.
Maduabuchi emphasized the importance of a judiciary that serves as the hope of the common man and highlighted that any democracy without a viable opposition is akin to autocracy. He stated that the opposition must be allowed to air their views and present themselves to the Nigerian public, enabling citizens to evaluate and determine the best-suited leaders. He further warned against any attempts to suppress dissenting voices, affirming that civil society remains committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
Additionally, Maduabuchi urged the Federal Government to prioritize addressing critical national challenges, such as insecurity and unemployment, instead of engaging in early politicking ahead of the 2027 general elections. He also called on Justice Peter Lifu to recuse himself from the ADC litigation presently before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr. Al-Mustapha Abdullahi urged the judiciary to advance the nation’s democratic growth by protecting the rights of the opposition, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Abdullahi stated that opposition parties had come to stay and must be allowed to exercise their franchise freely, stressing the necessity of an independent judiciary that stands by the people of Nigeria.
The coalition noted that Monday’s protest served as a preliminary warning and announced plans to expand actions to demand full transparency, respect for the rule of law, and a level-playing field for all political actors. Placards displayed by the protesters conveyed messages such as ‘Judiciary, Save Nigeria’s Democracy,’ ‘Don’t Kill Opposition Parties,’ and ‘ADC Must Be on the Ballot in 2027 Elections’.