Atiku’s Ticket Voided: Voters, not courts, should decide — Obi
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared that voters, rather than courts, should determine who governs Nigeria, following the Federal High Court judgment nullifying Atiku Abubakar’s presidential candidacy for the 2027 election.
Obi expressed shock over the ruling, which also sacked the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that the development could undermine electoral certainty ahead of the January 16 presidential election.
In a statement titled “Do Not Undermine Democracy,” Obi said he respected the authority of the judiciary but was troubled by the uncertainty surrounding opposition candidates so close to the polls.
“I do not challenge the ruling of the court,” he said, acknowledging that courts are constitutionally empowered to resolve legal disputes.
He, however, maintained that democracy must ultimately reflect the choices of the electorate, stressing that it is voters and not courts who should choose political leaders.
Obi accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately engineering instability within opposition parties to weaken their chances in the forthcoming elections.
He alleged that similar tactics had been deployed against him during his time in the Labour Party, accusing the ruling party of attempting to restrict political competition.
The former governor also linked the alleged efforts to undermine opposition activities to violence experienced during his campaigns.
Obi warned that prolonged uncertainty over the participation of candidates and political parties could weaken public confidence in the electoral process.
He appealed for the protection of democratic institutions and the right of Nigerians to choose freely among candidates.
According to him, Nigeria must preserve a competitive multiparty democracy, particularly amid the resurgence of military rule in parts of West Africa.
Obi further pledged that, if elected president, he would work to ensure opposition parties remained stable and capable of participating freely in elections without intimidation or persecution.
His remarks followed Thursday’s judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which declared the Mark-led ADC caretaker committee unlawful and invalidated its decisions, including the primary election that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
The judgment arose from a suit filed by former ADC National Deputy Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other party officials assumed office.
The ADC has rejected the judgment and announced plans to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.