PDP Legislators Demand Judges Be Warned Over Interference in Party Matters

The National Judicial Council has been urged to warn judges who are being used by desperate politicians to sabotage Nigeria’s democratic process by the Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House of Representatives.

The call was issued by the caucus in a statement that its leader, Fred Agbedi (PDP-Bayelsa), signed.

Concerning the purported court meddling in political parties’ internal matters, Mr. Agbedi stated that it is a serious danger to the nation’s democratic stability.

The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, recently refused to grant a temporary injunction to prevent the PDP from holding its planned meetings and national convention, he added, necessitating the call.

Additionally, he stated that the court issued instructions that nullify the advantages of his decision to reject the temporary injunction.

The politician clarified, “The court declared that any action taken by the party in preparation for its national convention during the pendency of the suit shall be null and void, after refusing to grant a request for a restraining order to stop the forthcoming PDP convention.”

We are extremely concerned that despite the Supreme Court’s repeated rulings prohibiting judges from meddling in political parties’ internal affairs, some judges still serve as tools for desperate politicians looking to undermine democracy and impose a one-party system on Africa’s biggest democracy, Mr. Agbedi continued.

These statements undoubtedly give individuals opposed to the PDP national convention the opportunity to do so, preventing the major opposition party in Nigeria from fielding candidates in the 2027 presidential and other elections.

In order to avoid any misuse of the legal system that would jeopardize Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, they urged the National Judicial Council to take swift action. He stated that the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the court are essential to the survival of our democracy.

The congressman stated that the NJC must make sure that no court is willingly used to undermine the public will or destabilize political institutions.