On Monday, a significant crowd assembled at the Federal High Court in Abuja to express their strong disapproval of what they perceive as a scheme to remove several opposition parties from the political scene. Calling themselves Concerned Northern Nigeria Stakeholders, the demonstrators marched to the court building in the Wuse district, carrying signs with messages like ‘No Opposition, No Election’ and ‘Tinubu, Let Our Democracy Breathe’. They also warned President Bola Tinubu not to meddle with the autonomy of the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Security was heavily reinforced, with armed personnel, including agents from the Department of State Services (DSS), preventing the group from entering the premises. The protest leader, Banki Sharrif, addressed reporters, highlighting what he termed escalating dangers to democratic institutions. He accused the federal government of trying to circumvent proper legal channels.
Sharrif directly called on President Tinubu to stop any form of interference with the judiciary, whether open or hidden. He stated, ‘Courts should never be turned into tools for political manipulation. When justice is compromised, the entire country stands accused.’ He further argued that attempts to diminish opposition parties indicate a lack of faith by the government itself. ‘A government that tries to cripple opposition shows it doubts its own legitimacy. Democracy thrives on competition. Suppressing it reveals fear, not strength,’ he added.
The group emphasized that democracy cannot succeed without a robust opposition, asserting that elections without credible rivals are merely ‘staged events. Democracy requires fairness, transparency, and equal chances for all political participants.’ Sharrif also criticized the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, insisting that his office must stay impartial and not be exploited for political ends.