This post has already been read at least 11167 times!
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has launched a scathing attack on the recent Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the registration of five political parties, describing the development as a dangerous assault on constitutional democracy, evidence of growing state capture, and a serious threat to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the umbrella body of political parties condemned the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, which ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The CNPP argued that the ruling transcends ordinary legal disputes and strikes at the very foundation of Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system.
According to the organization, “This judgment represents not merely a legal controversy but a direct assault on Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, multiparty political system, and the fundamental rights of citizens to freely associate and participate in the democratic process through political platforms of their choice.”
The political coalition expressed particular concern over the reported involvement of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in the legal proceedings.
The CNPP alleged that the Attorney-General’s support for the suit seeking the deregistration of opposition political parties has heightened public concerns about the independence of democratic institutions and the neutrality of government agencies charged with safeguarding the nation’s democratic process.
“More disturbing is the active role played by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who did not merely remain a nominal defendant in the matter but reportedly deployed the weight and authority of his office to formally support a suit seeking the deregistration of opposition political parties,” the statement said.
The group argued that the development has reinforced growing fears among Nigerians that INEC is increasingly coming under pressure to carry out what it described as the political agenda of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the CNPP, the court action appears to be part of a broader strategy aimed at shrinking the democratic space ahead of the next general election.
“The CNPP views this development as part of a broader and disturbing pattern aimed at narrowing the political space, weakening opposition platforms, suppressing democratic competition, and ultimately creating a political environment tailored to favour the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections,” Ezema stated.
The organization warned that democracy cannot flourish where state institutions are perceived to be operating in ways that favour one political interest over others.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot survive where the government of the day is perceived as simultaneously controlling the executive arm, influencing legislative outcomes, intimidating opposition forces, and now appearing determined to shape the political landscape through judicial processes,” the statement added.
Allegations of State Capture
In one of the strongest sections of the statement, the CNPP alleged that recent developments point to what it described as an alarming pattern of state capture.
The organization defined state capture as a situation in which public institutions, legal frameworks, regulatory agencies, and government authorities are manipulated to secure predetermined political, economic, and legal outcomes for powerful interests.
“What Nigerians are witnessing today increasingly resembles a full-scale state capture operation,” the CNPP declared.
“State capture occurs when formal institutions, legal frameworks, regulatory agencies, and public authorities are manipulated by powerful political actors and their allies to secure predetermined political, economic, and legal outcomes in their favour.”
The group maintained that the circumstances surrounding the deregistration suit bear “all the dangerous hallmarks” of such a process.
“When the nation’s chief law officer abandons the expected posture of constitutional neutrality and openly aligns with efforts that could significantly weaken opposition political parties, the implications extend far beyond the courtroom,” the statement said.
“Such actions inevitably create public suspicion that state institutions are no longer operating independently but are instead being deployed as instruments of partisan political engineering.”
The CNPP further warned that democracy loses its essence when electoral competition is effectively determined before citizens cast their votes.
“Democracy ceases to exist in any meaningful sense when political competition is no longer determined by voters at the ballot box but by carefully orchestrated administrative and judicial maneuvers designed to eliminate competitors before elections even take place,” it stated.
Concerns Over 2027 Elections
The opposition coalition also linked the judgment to growing anxieties surrounding the credibility of the 2027 electoral process.
The CNPP said many Nigerians are beginning to question whether future election-related disputes would receive impartial judicial treatment if opposition parties could face extinction through legal proceedings allegedly backed by the nation’s highest law office.
“If opposition political parties can be threatened with extinction through legal processes seemingly supported by the highest law office in the country, what assurances exist that election disputes arising from the 2027 general elections will be adjudicated impartially?” the statement asked.
The organization noted that concerns are already emerging that the current developments may offer a preview of what could happen during post-election litigation in 2027.
“Many Nigerians are already expressing fears that what is unfolding today may represent a disturbing preview of how election petition tribunals and appellate processes could operate in 2027.
“There is growing apprehension that political outcomes may increasingly be determined through institutional influence rather than through the sovereign will of the electorate.”
The CNPP warned against a situation where elections become ceremonial exercises while political outcomes are allegedly shaped elsewhere through institutional mechanisms.
“The CNPP is deeply concerned that Nigeria may be moving toward a situation where electoral contests become mere formalities while actual outcomes are shaped elsewhere through coordinated institutional actions.
“Such a trajectory would represent a tragic betrayal of the sacrifices made by countless Nigerians in the struggle against military dictatorship and for democratic governance.”
‘Quasi-Military Political Order Emerging’
In another pointed criticism, the CNPP claimed that Nigeria appears to be drifting toward what it termed a “quasi-military civilian administration.”
According to the organization, democratic institutions continue to exist formally, but their effectiveness and independence are gradually being undermined.
“The reality confronting Nigerians today is that the country appears to be drifting toward a governance structure that increasingly resembles a quasi-military civilian administration.
“While democratic institutions continue to exist in form, their substance is steadily being eroded,” the statement read.
The group cited what it described as the marginalization of dissenting voices, mounting pressure on opposition platforms, weakening oversight institutions, and declining accountability mechanisms as evidence of this trend.
“Citizens are witnessing an environment where dissenting voices are increasingly marginalized, opposition platforms face mounting pressures, oversight institutions appear weakened, and accountability mechanisms are becoming less effective.”
The CNPP insisted that democracy should not be measured solely by the conduct of elections but by the existence of a genuinely competitive political environment.
“The concentration of political power in a manner that leaves little room for genuine opposition is fundamentally inconsistent with democratic principles.
“Democracy is not measured merely by the conduct of elections but by the existence of a genuinely competitive political environment where alternative viewpoints can flourish without fear of suppression.”
Call for Nationwide Democratic Resistance
The CNPP called on political parties, civil society groups, labour unions, student bodies, religious leaders, traditional institutions, and pro-democracy advocates to unite in defense of democratic norms and constitutional governance.
“This is not merely about the fate of five political parties. It is about the future of democracy itself,” the statement declared.
The organization urged stakeholders to initiate coordinated legal and civic responses aimed at protecting political pluralism and resisting what it described as attempts to establish a one-party state through institutional means.
“We urge all democratic stakeholders to immediately commence coordinated legal, constitutional, civic, and political actions aimed at defending democratic norms, preserving political pluralism, and resisting any attempts to transform Nigeria into a one-party state through judicial, administrative, or institutional manipulation.”
The group warned that democratic decline often begins gradually before becoming entrenched.
“History has repeatedly shown that democratic erosion often begins gradually, with isolated actions that appear insignificant until the cumulative effect becomes irreversible. Nigeria must not travel that path.”
Appeal to International Community
The CNPP also appealed to foreign governments, international organizations, election observers, and global human rights bodies to closely monitor political developments in Nigeria.
“The international community must not pretend that it is unaware of the increasingly obvious warning signs,” the statement said.
The group argued that the current state of democratic institutions is becoming more alarming than what some citizens experienced under previous military regimes.
“The erosion of democratic principles currently unfolding in Nigeria is becoming more alarming than what many citizens experienced under previous military regimes.”
The organization expressed concern over what it described as the apparent weakening of institutions meant to serve as checks on executive power, including sections of the judiciary, legislature, and other oversight bodies.
“At a time when insecurity continues to worsen across many parts of the country, with educational activities disrupted in some communities and citizens facing unprecedented socio-economic hardship, efforts should be focused on strengthening democratic accountability rather than weakening political competition.”
CNPP Reaffirms Commitment to Democracy
Reaffirming its position, the CNPP said it remains committed to constitutional democracy, political pluralism, the rule of law, and the right of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders through credible elections.
“The CNPP stands firmly in defense of constitutional democracy, political pluralism, the rule of law, and the sovereign right of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders through open, transparent, competitive, and credible elections,” the statement concluded.
“We reject any attempt to use judicial processes, administrative mechanisms, or executive influence to shrink the democratic space.
“We insist that Nigeria’s future must be determined by the people through the ballot box—not through institutional manipulation, political intimidation, or the selective deployment of state power.
“The struggle to preserve democracy is a collective responsibility, and the time to act is now.”
This post has already been read at least 11167 times!
About the Author
