The Obidient Movement has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of using the judiciary to weaken opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that recent court rulings are part of a broader effort to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space.
The allegations were made on Monday during a press conference in Abuja by the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko. The briefing, titled “The Road to Anarchy: A Press Conference by the Obidient Movement on Recent Dangerous Judicial Pronouncements in Nigeria,” focused on recent judicial decisions affecting opposition parties.
Tanko alleged that the judiciary was allowing itself to be used to frustrate opposition politics, claiming that recent court rulings involving the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) were politically motivated and designed to benefit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He argued that the decisions formed part of a deliberate attempt to weaken opposition parties ahead of the next general election.
According to the Obidient Movement, a recent High Court ruling in Lokoja affecting the NDC was intended to prevent its principal, Peter Obi, and his political ally, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from contesting the 2027 presidential election. However, Tanko maintained that both politicians would still appear on the ballot despite the court’s decision.
The movement further alleged that the judiciary had abandoned its role as an impartial arbiter by aligning with the interests of the ruling party. It called on judicial officers to uphold the rule of law and protect Nigeria’s democratic institutions from political interference.
The allegations come amid growing debate over recent court rulings affecting opposition parties and political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections. While some opposition figures have described the decisions as part of a coordinated effort to weaken alternative political platforms, supporters of the rulings argue that the courts are acting within the provisions of the law.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the APC had issued an official response to the Obidient Movement’s latest allegations. The claims remain political accusations that have not been independently substantiated.
