“This judgment represents another setback” — Peter Obi reacts to court ruling canceling NDC registration
Presidential candidate from Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi has criticized the judgment of the Federal High Court that overturned an earlier order by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
Reacting to the verdict delivered on Friday in Lokoja, Obi described the decision as “an unnecessary serious setback to Nigerian democracy” and warned that the weakening of democratic institutions could threaten the future of the country.
The former governor of Anambra State disclosed that he got the news of the court’s decision while he was on engagements in Imo State, which included a visit to the School of Nursing in Emekuku and the 80th birthday celebration of the Archbishop Emeritus of Owerri, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Obinna, before proceeding to Madonna University.
‘Every Nigerian should be worried’
According to Obi, the verdict in the Lokoja case should concern all Nigerians who are committed to the progress of the nation.
“Every Nigerian who is committed to the progress of the country should be deeply concerned. This verdict represents another step back for our democracy and the institutions on which our future depends,” he said.
He lamented that individuals who claim to support democracy now seem determined to weaken the institutions that sustain it, arguing that such actions erode public confidence and threaten the future of millions of Nigerians.
Warning of institutional decline
Obi further expressed concern over what he described as the increasing decline of key democratic institutions, particularly the legislature and the judiciary.
“The legislature and judiciary are increasingly drawn into this pattern of institutional decay. “Democracy cannot thrive where institutions lose their independence and credibility,” he said.
The former Labor Party presidential candidate insisted that those seeking to weaken Nigeria’s democratic foundations would ultimately fail, noting that he had previously condemned a similar situation involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
‘I worry about Nigeria working’
Obi maintained that his stance was based on principle and not political interest.
“I don’t care who becomes president. I worry about making Nigeria work,” he said.
He urged political leaders to move away from the pursuit of power and instead focus on building a united nation based on justice, strong institutions, the rule of law and equal opportunities for all citizens.
Urging Nigerians to defend democratic values, Obi said the survival of institutions in the country is inseparable from the survival of the nation itself.
“When we work together, the new Nigeria of our dream is possible,” he added.
