By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Coalition of Nigeria Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) has advised the judiciary to maintain its independence, as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The coalition made the call during a peaceful protest at the Federal High Court on Monday in Abuja.
The coalition also called on the judiciary not to allow itself to be used against the opposition political parties, but to ensure that the constitutional rights of the opposition were protected for the benefit of Nigeria’s democracy.
Convener of the coalition, Mr Edene Maduabuchi, while addressing newsmen during the protest, said the action was aimed at expressing the group’s concerns over what he described as the “stifling of opposition parties” and other socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria.
Maduabuchi alleged there were ongoing attempts to use judicial procedures to distract opposition parties, especially African Democratic Congress (ADC), to prevent it from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections.
He warned that no democracy could survive without a viable opposition.
“The judiciary should be the hope of the common man. Any democracy without a viable opposition is autocracy.
“The opposition must be allowed to air their views and sell themselves to the Nigerian public so that the citizens can compare and know who is better suited to lead. Nigeria is in dire need of credible leaders,” he said.
Maduabuchi, who warned against any further attempts to suppress dissenting voices, noted that civil society remained fully committed to protecting Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy.
“Nigeria is bigger than any individual. No Nigerian is bigger than Nigeria. Nigeria is the essence of our existence, and without our collective existence, there will be no country.
“As long as we are Nigerians, we must make sure we protect our democracy,” Maduabuchi said.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise addressing critical national challenges, including insecurity and unemployment, rather than engaging in early politicking ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Maduabuchi also called on Justice Peter Lifu to recuse himself from the ADC litigation presently before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Also speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr Al-Mustapha Abdullahi urged the judiciary to advance the nation’s democratic growth by protecting the rights of the opposition, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Abdullahi stated that opposition parties had come to stay and must be allowed to exercise their franchise freely.
“The judiciary needs to stand by people of Nigeria. That is the primary essence of having an independent judiciary.
“We are running a democratic government. We need to allow opposition parties to function. Where there is no opposition party, there is no democracy. Let the democratic process be free and fair,” Abdullahi said.
The coalition, which noted that Monday’s protest served as a preliminary warning, said it would expand the actions to demand full transparency, respect for the rule of law and a level-playing field for all political actors.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the placards displayed by the protesters read: “Judiciary, Save Nigeria’s Democracy,” “Don’t Kill Opposition Parties,” and “ADC Must Be on the Ballot in 2027 Elections”, among others.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OBE/MAM/WAS
Edited by Modupe Adeloye/’Wale Sadeeq
