Sign in Subscribe
Political parties

Nigeria's Judiciary Under Siege: Anti-Democratic Forces Threaten General Elections

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A pro-democracy group, the Movement for the Advancement of Democratic Progress, has sounded the alarm over a plot to scuttle Nigeria's general elections, alleging that anti-democratic forces have perfected a plan to get a judge to grant a last-minute injunction to postpone the polls or disqualify the All Progressives Congress candidate, Muhammadu Buhari. The group claims that agents loyal to the PDP have budgeted N20bn to fund this plot, echoing a similar scenario that unfolded in 1993 when an anti-democratic group, the Association for Better Nigeria, aligned with the military junta to halt the June 12, 1993 poll.

Key Takeaways:

  • A pro-democracy group has raised the alarm over a plot to scuttle Nigeria's general elections, alleging that anti-democratic forces have perfected a plan to get a judge to grant a last-minute injunction to postpone the polls or disqualify the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
  • The group claims that agents loyal to the PDP have budgeted N20bn to fund this plot, echoing a similar scenario that unfolded in 1993 when an anti-democratic group, the Association for Better Nigeria, aligned with the military junta to halt the June 12, 1993 poll.
  • The group alleges that Justice Niyi Ademola, a judge at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, is being used by the anti-democratic forces to grant the perfidious injunction, citing his past decisions that have benefited the government.
  • The group claims that the judiciary is under test, with lawyers offering their services to defend Buhari against the suit seeking his disqualification in the presidential election.
  • The case comes up on February 9, and the group urges well-meaning Nigerians to raise their voices in lawful agitation against the postponement of the election.
  • The group notes that the mood in the country is unwavering about the need to proceed with the elections, and that the international community is watching.

Statistics:

  • N20bn: The amount budgeted by agents loyal to the PDP to fund the plot to scuttle the elections.
  • 22 years ago: The time elapsed since the similar scenario that unfolded in 1993 when an anti-democratic group, the Association for Better Nigeria, aligned with the military junta to halt the June 12, 1993 poll.
  • 1 judge: Justice Niyi Ademola, the judge being used by the anti-democratic forces to grant the perfidious injunction.

Sources:

  • Movement for the Advancement of Democratic Progress, "We Must Stop the Anti-Democratic Forces" (release made available to PREMIUM TIMES)
  • Premium Times, "Judiciary under test as Buhari faces disqualification suit" (article by Ben Ezeamalu)
  • AllAfrica Global Media, "Nigeria: Judiciary Under Siege as Buhari Faces Disqualification Suit" (article by Ben Ezeamalu)

Read more