United Friends for Atiku (UFFA) has warned that Nigeria’s democracy risks collapse if judicial processes are allegedly weaponised to eliminate opposition parties.

Alhaji Aliyu Audu, UFFA Coordinator, stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, following a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

The group said that the judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, invalidating ADC leadership, raised serious democratic concerns.

Audu said the development could undermine democratic competition, disenfranchise voters, and weaken confidence in the judiciary, urging institutions to protect constitutional democracy.

“We are issuing a stern and unequivocal warning: If this blatant institutional takeover continues, we are staring at the imminent breakdown of democracy,” he said.

He stressed that the group was not demanding immunity for political leaders or arguing that political parties should operate above the law.

“Rather, it is a solemn declaration that the administration of justice is being weaponised to execute a political agenda.

“What is the value of an election if the options available to the electorate can be substantially predetermined before election day through engineered institutional and judicial controversies?” he asked.

Audu said democracy went beyond voting, stressing that citizens must have genuine alternatives and opportunities to choose their preferred political leaders.

He warned that the judiciary risked losing public confidence if courts were perceived as instruments for eliminating political competition or protecting individuals.

The group expressed concern over conflicting judgments concerning the ADC leadership, recalling an earlier decision by Justice Musa Liman affirming Mark-led leadership.

“When litigants and citizens are subjected to conflicting outcomes from courts of equal standing on substantially related disputes, public confidence is destroyed,” he noted.

Audu also warned against what he described as gradual democratic erosion through institutional weakening, restricted political participation and systematic elimination of credible opposition.

“Democratic erosion does not always announce itself through military rule. It happens when institutions are gradually weakened and political participation is narrowed,” he said.

The group called on the judiciary to uphold its independence and ensure that judicial proceedings respected constitutional safeguards and democratic principles.

It urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to discharge its responsibilities in accordance with the constitution and finalised judicial decisions.

The group appealed to the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, United States, United Kingdom and European Union to monitor Nigeria’s democratic situation.

It urged international partners to scrutinise the judicial developments and apply necessary diplomatic pressure to ensure Nigeria’s electoral process was not compromised.

“The stability of the West African sub-region hinges on the survival of Nigeria’s democracy,” Audu said.

The coordinator urged Nigerians to remain peaceful and vigilant, warning against violence while calling on the government to respect citizens’ democratic choices.

He, however, cautioned against pushing Nigerians to the limit through what he described as attempts to deny them their electoral choices.

“When a goat is pushed to the wall, it fights back, even against its owner. Do not push the Nigerian people to the wall,” he warned.

Audu said Nigeria’s democracy belonged to its citizens and should not be compromised by the interests of any government or political administration.

“Let the courts interpret the law fairly. Let the institutions operate freely. Let political parties compete and, above all, let the Nigerian people decide,” he emphasised (NAN)
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa