By Ibrahim Muhammad, Kano The Kwankwasiyya Movement has received with concern the recent judgment setting aside the earlier de...
By Ibrahim Muhammad, Kano
The Kwankwasiyya Movement has received with concern the recent judgment setting aside the earlier decision directing the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, saying the ruling raises troubling questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process and the future of political pluralism as the country approaches the 2027 General Elections.
In a press statement signed by its Spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, , and released on Sunday, the Movement said it acknowledges and respects the constitutional role of the judiciary as the final arbiter of disputes, but cannot ignore the implications of the judgment. It argued that at a time when millions of Nigerians are yearning for credible alternatives to the current administration, the development reinforces the growing public perception that powerful forces are determined to shrink the democratic space and ensure that only politically convenient parties are allowed to flourish ahead of the polls.
The Movement noted that the litigation has suddenly assumed renewed urgency precisely when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has commenced activities under the timetable for the 2027 General Elections, including processes leading to party nominations and candidate submissions. It said Nigerians are therefore entitled to ask whether the sequence of events is merely coincidental or part of a broader pattern aimed at frustrating the emergence of a formidable opposition platform before the electoral process gathers full momentum.
The statement also raised legal concerns, saying distinguished legal practitioners have already expressed divergent opinions on whether a court that has delivered a final judgment possesses the jurisdiction to set aside its own decision under the circumstances presented, or whether such authority properly belongs to the appellate courts except in narrowly defined situations recognized by law. It said these legal questions deserve to be answered transparently by the appellate courts, not only in the interest of the NDC but also to safeguard public confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system.
Referencing previous cases, the Movement said, “Yesterday was ADC, Today NDC. Tomorrow it could be any other opposition platform. Once judicial processes begin to create uncertainty around political participation at critical stages of the electoral calendar, the greatest casualty is democracy itself.” It maintained that democracy cannot flourish where viable opposition parties are weakened through prolonged legal uncertainty, and stressed that competitive elections require a level playing field, equal access to justice, respect for due process, and institutions that inspire confidence among all political actors.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement therefore called on the judiciary to remain steadfast as the last hope of the common man by ensuring that justice is not only done but is manifestly seen to be done. It also urged INEC to act strictly within the confines of the law and to avoid any action that may prejudice ongoing legal processes or undermine public confidence in the electoral process. It further called on Nigerians, civil society organizations, professional bodies, and the international democratic community to closely observe developments surrounding the matter, saying the health of Nigeria’s democracy depends on strong institutions, an independent judiciary, and genuine political competition, not on the systematic narrowing of democratic choices available to the electorate.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Movement said it remains resolute and unwavering in its commitment to the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a platform for democratic renewal and national transformation. It reaffirmed the position consistently articulated by its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, that Nigeria deserves a government founded on justice, competence, equity, accountability, and the genuine welfare of its people. “No judicial setback, political intimidation, or administrative obstacle will diminish our commitment to these ideals or weaken our resolve to offer Nigerians a credible democratic alternative,” the statement said. It concluded that history teaches that democracy is not sustained by the comfort of those in power but by the courage of those who defend the people’s right to freely choose their leaders, and expressed confidence that truth, justice, and the rule of law will ultimately prevail.
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