By Ayo Kehinde
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has strongly condemned a court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the registration of five political parties, describing the development as a dangerous attack on Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, evidence of an emerging state capture, and a grave threat to the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema of the umbrella body of political parties expressed deep concern over the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, which ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
According to the CNPP, the ruling goes beyond a mere legal dispute and strikes at the very foundation of Nigeria’s democratic system.
“The judgment represents not merely a legal controversy but a direct assault on Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, multiparty political system, and the fundamental rights of citizens to freely associate and participate in the democratic process through political platforms of their choice,” the statement declared.
The organization also expressed alarm over what it described as the active involvement of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in the matter.
“More disturbing is the active role played by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who did not merely remain a nominal defendant in the matter but reportedly deployed the weight and authority of his office to formally support a suit seeking the deregistration of opposition political parties,” the CNPP stated.
The group argued that such actions have raised serious questions about the neutrality of key democratic institutions and have fueled public concerns about the independence of electoral and governance structures.
“This development has inevitably raised serious concerns among Nigerians regarding the neutrality of critical democratic institutions and the growing perception that INEC, which is constitutionally empowered as the regulator of political parties, is increasingly being arm-twisted to carry out the political desires of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),” the statement said.
The CNPP maintained that the court action forms part of what it sees as a broader pattern aimed at reducing political competition and strengthening the dominance of the ruling party ahead of the next general elections.
The organization warned that democracy cannot flourish where citizens perceive that political institutions are being manipulated to serve partisan interests.
CNPP Alleges Emerging State Capture
In a particularly strong section of the statement, the CNPP argued that recent developments point to what it described as an alarming pattern of state capture.
“What Nigerians are witnessing today increasingly resembles a full-scale state capture operation,” the organization said.
Defining the concept, the CNPP explained that state capture occurs when institutions and public authorities are manipulated by powerful political actors to secure predetermined outcomes.
Concerns Over 2027 Electoral Justice
The organization also linked the judgment to growing public anxiety about the future of electoral justice in Nigeria, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching.
“Even more troubling is the precedent this judgment appears to set for the future of electoral justice in Nigeria,” the statement noted.
According to the CNPP, if opposition parties can face extinction through legal processes allegedly supported by the nation’s highest law office, concerns naturally arise regarding the impartiality of future election-related litigation.
The organization said many Nigerians are already expressing fears about the implications of the development for future election petition proceedings.
The CNPP warned that Nigeria could be moving toward a political environment where elections become symbolic exercises while real outcomes are decided elsewhere.
Warning Against a ‘Quasi-Military Political Order’
The statement further painted a grim picture of the current political atmosphere, asserting that Nigeria appears to be drifting toward what it described as a quasi-military civilian administration.
While acknowledging the continued existence of democratic institutions, the organization argued that their effectiveness is steadily diminishing.
The group listed what it described as growing signs of democratic decline, including the marginalization of dissenting voices, mounting pressure on opposition platforms, weakened oversight institutions, and declining accountability mechanisms.
According to the CNPP, genuine democracy requires more than the mere conduct of elections.
“The concentration of political power in a manner that leaves little room for genuine opposition is fundamentally inconsistent with democratic principles.
Call for Nationwide Democratic Resistance
The CNPP called on a broad spectrum of Nigerian society to mobilize in defense of democratic values and political pluralism.
Appeal to International Community
The CNPP also directed a strong appeal to the international community, urging foreign governments and international organizations to closely monitor developments in Nigeria.
According to the organization, warning signs regarding the health of Nigeria’s democracy have become increasingly difficult to ignore.
“The international community must not pretend that it is unaware of the increasingly obvious warning signs.”
The group claimed that democratic institutions designed to act as checks on executive authority are increasingly perceived by citizens as compromised.
The CNPP argued that national priorities should focus on addressing insecurity and worsening economic hardship rather than actions perceived as limiting democratic competition.
It further maintained that democracy cannot thrive where opposition voices are weakened and constitutional institutions are viewed as serving partisan interests.
‘Nigeria’s Future Must Be Decided by the Ballot’
Reaffirming its position, the CNPP declared its commitment to constitutional democracy, political pluralism, the rule of law, and the rights of citizens to freely determine their political future.
The organization rejected what it described as attempts to reduce political competition through the use of state institutions and legal mechanisms.
The statement concluded with a declaration that Nigeria’s future must be determined by voters rather than by institutional manipulation.
