Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the judiciary to destroy the nation’s democracy.
Secondus, in a statement on Wednesday, warned that such judicial rascality might lead to a one-party system and undermine democracy in Nigeria, if unchecked.
The former PDP National Chairman, who was reacting to the recent Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Lifu deregistering some political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), expressed disappointment and concern at the development, which he noted came midway into the political cycle after the parties had completed their primary elections and were ready for the campaign.
He sees the judgement as not only a setback for the affected parties but a dangerous assault on the foundational principles of multi-party democracy, citizen participation, and the rule of law.
Prince Secondus accused the Federal Government of deliberately destroying opposition parties to achieve one-party rule.
“They are afraid of the election; they want a coronation,” he stated, warning that to deregister a political party midway into an election effectively disenfranchises voters, creates political instability, and narrows the democratic space, especially when a crisis has been deliberately injected into other parties.
“It’s judicial rascality to endorse political exclusion by dissolving parties midway through a cycle.
“This obvious disruption creates unnecessary vacuums and chills the competitive spirit necessary for a healthy democracy,” he said.
Secondus stated that “a robust democracy requires a low barrier to entry for alternative ideas.
“By dismantling smaller or emerging parties mid-cycle, the system heavily favours the entrenched political establishment and locks out grassroots movements needed for a robust democracy.”