Tension erupted on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja as dozens of protesters took to the streets, raising alarm over what they described as a dangerous threat to Nigeria’s democracy, Peak Newspaper reports
The demonstrators, under the banner of Concerned Northern Nigeria Stakeholders, marched from the National Assembly to the court premises in Wuse, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with bold messages such as “No Opposition, No Election” and “Let Democracy Breathe.”
Security operatives, including officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), swiftly barricaded the entrance, preventing the protesters from accessing the court complex.
Addressing journalists, the group’s leader, Banki Sharrif, accused the Federal Government of attempting to undermine judicial independence and weaken opposition parties through legal manoeuvres. He warned that any interference in the judiciary could erode public trust and destabilise the nation.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to desist from any form of interference in the judiciary. Courts must not be turned into tools for political engineering,” Sharrif declared.
The protest follows a controversial suit reportedly backed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, seeking the deregistration of several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
According to court filings, the AGF argued that the continued existence of the affected parties violates constitutional provisions and undermines electoral integrity. However, the protesters insist that such moves signal a lack of confidence in governance and could cripple Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
They further warned that if the judiciary is perceived as compromised, citizens may lose faith in lawful processes, a situation they say could trigger widespread unrest.
As political tensions rise, all eyes remain on the courts and the Federal Government, with many Nigerians watching closely to see how the unfolding legal battle will shape the country’s democratic future.
