Party deregistration order: Peter Obi seeks reversal of judgment

Peter Obi, 2027 Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has advised that the judgment, ordering deregistration of some political parties in Nigeria should be reversed.

The NDC presidential candidate decried the growing damage to the nation’s sacred institutions on the altar of politics, reiterating the need for Nigeria to restore the dignity, independence, and integrity of the judiciary.

Mr Obi stated this in his reaction to the Court deregistration order, posted on his X handle on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.

The other parties listed in the suit and affected by the court’s deregistration order are Accord, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

According to Obi, a nation rises when institutions are stronger and not when they’re politicised.

“When the controversy surrounding removal of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, unfolded, I expressed a concern to a friend: that the greatest damage may not be immediate but the message it sends about the sanctity and independence of our institutions to the world should not be overlooked.

“Strong economies are built on trust. Investors can manage security risks, policy risks, and even market risks. What they fear most is uncertainty in the rule of law and a judiciary that is perceived to be vulnerable to political pressure.

“Today, many Nigerians have lost confidence in systems that should protect them, businesses increasingly request that their contracts be governed by foreign jurisdictions because they have greater confidence in those institutions than in our own,” he said.

He explained that the nation must never sacrifice its sacred institutions on the altar of politics, saying that nations rise when institutions are stronger than individuals.

He maintained that the Federal High Court judgment ordering deregistration of the ADC and other political parties was just one of those activities that further reduced the common man’s trust in the nation’s legal systems.

He advised that the judgment should be reversed and pledged that Nigeria will restore the dignity, independence, and integrity of the judiciary

“The common man must have a voice, the business community must be protected from legal uncertainty and intimidation, justice must be impartial, accessible, and respected by all.

“To our judges, legal luminaries, senior advocates, and lawyers: this is your moment. Rise, defend the rule of law, take back your country,” he added.
NAN