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.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, 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 CNPP views this development as part of a broader and disturbing pattern aimed at narrowing the political space, weakening opposition platforms, suppressing democratic competition, and ultimately creating a political environment tailored to favour the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections,” it stated.
The organization warned that democracy cannot flourish where citizens perceive that political institutions are being manipulated to serve partisan interests.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot survive where the government of the day is perceived as simultaneously controlling the executive arm, influencing legislative outcomes, intimidating opposition forces, and now appearing determined to shape the political landscape through judicial processes,” the statement added.
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.
“State capture occurs when formal institutions, legal frameworks, regulatory agencies, and public authorities are manipulated by powerful political actors and their allies to secure predetermined political, economic, and legal outcomes in their favour.
“The events surrounding this deregistration suit bear all the dangerous hallmarks of such a process.”
The political coalition further contended that the implications of the Attorney-General’s alleged support for the deregistration suit extend beyond the courtroom.
“When the nation’s chief law officer abandons the expected posture of constitutional neutrality and openly aligns with efforts that could significantly weaken opposition political parties, the implications extend far beyond the courtroom,” the statement said.
“Such actions inevitably create public suspicion that state institutions are no longer operating independently but are instead being deployed as instruments of partisan political engineering.”
The CNPP warned that democracy loses its meaning when electoral competition is replaced by institutional actions designed to weaken political opponents before elections.
“The CNPP warns that democracy ceases to exist in any meaningful sense when political competition is no longer determined by voters at the ballot box but by carefully orchestrated administrative and judicial maneuvers designed to eliminate competitors before elections even take place.”
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.
“If opposition political parties can be threatened with extinction through legal processes seemingly supported by the highest law office in the country, what assurances exist that election disputes arising from the 2027 general elections will be adjudicated impartially?” it asked.
The organization said many Nigerians are already expressing fears about the implications of the development for future election petition proceedings.
“Many Nigerians are already expressing fears that what is unfolding today may represent a disturbing preview of how election petition tribunals and appellate processes could operate in 2027.
“There is growing apprehension that political outcomes may increasingly be determined through institutional influence rather than through the sovereign will of the electorate.”
The CNPP warned that Nigeria could be moving toward a political environment where elections become symbolic exercises while real outcomes are decided elsewhere.
“The CNPP is deeply concerned that Nigeria may be moving toward a situation where electoral contests become mere formalities while actual outcomes are shaped elsewhere through coordinated institutional actions.
“Such a trajectory would represent a tragic betrayal of the sacrifices made by countless Nigerians in the struggle against military dictatorship and for democratic governance.”
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.
“The reality confronting Nigerians today is that the country appears to be drifting toward a governance structure that increasingly resembles a quasi-military civilian administration,” the CNPP stated.
While acknowledging the continued existence of democratic institutions, the organization argued that their effectiveness is steadily diminishing.
“While democratic institutions continue to exist in form, their substance is steadily being eroded.”
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.
“Citizens are witnessing an environment where dissenting voices are increasingly marginalized, opposition platforms face mounting pressures, oversight institutions appear weakened, and accountability mechanisms are becoming less effective.”
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.
“Democracy is not measured merely by the conduct of elections but by the existence of a genuinely competitive political environment where alternative viewpoints can flourish without fear of suppression.
“The apparent weaponization of state institutions against opposition political parties represents a dangerous departure from these 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.
“The CNPP therefore calls on all patriotic Nigerians, pro-democracy activists, opposition political leaders, labour unions, professional bodies, student organizations, religious leaders, traditional institutions, and civil society organizations to recognize the gravity of the moment.”
The organization stressed that the issue extends beyond the five affected political parties.
“This is not merely about the fate of five political parties.
“It is about the future of democracy itself.”
The coalition urged democratic stakeholders across the country to initiate coordinated responses aimed at protecting constitutional governance.
“We urge all democratic stakeholders to immediately commence coordinated legal, constitutional, civic, and political actions aimed at defending democratic norms, preserving political pluralism, and resisting any attempts to transform Nigeria into a one-party state through judicial, administrative, or institutional manipulation.”
The statement further cautioned that democratic decline often begins gradually before becoming irreversible.
“History has repeatedly shown that democratic erosion often begins gradually, with isolated actions that appear insignificant until the cumulative effect becomes irreversible.
“Nigeria must not travel that path.”
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.
“The CNPP also calls on the international community, foreign missions, democratic governments, multilateral institutions, election observation organizations, and global human rights bodies to pay close attention to 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 erosion of democratic principles currently unfolding in Nigeria is becoming more alarming than what many citizens experienced under previous military regimes.
“The apparent capture of institutions that ought to serve as independent checks on executive power—including segments of the judiciary, legislative bodies, and other oversight mechanisms—has left citizens feeling increasingly vulnerable and politically helpless.”
The CNPP argued that national priorities should focus on addressing insecurity and worsening economic hardship rather than actions perceived as limiting democratic competition.
“At a time when insecurity continues to worsen across many parts of the country, with educational activities disrupted in some communities and citizens facing unprecedented socio-economic hardship, efforts should be focused on strengthening democratic accountability rather than weakening political competition.”
It further maintained that democracy cannot thrive where opposition voices are weakened and constitutional institutions are viewed as serving partisan interests.
“The world must recognize that democracy cannot thrive where opposition voices are systematically diminished and where institutions designed to protect constitutional order are perceived 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 CNPP stands firmly in defense of constitutional democracy, political pluralism, the rule of law, and the sovereign right of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders through open, transparent, competitive, and credible elections.”
The organization rejected what it described as attempts to reduce political competition through the use of state institutions and legal mechanisms.
“We reject any attempt to use judicial processes, administrative mechanisms, or executive influence to shrink the democratic space.”
The statement concluded with a declaration that Nigeria’s future must be determined by voters rather than by institutional manipulation.
“We insist that Nigeria’s future must be determined by the people through the ballot box—not through institutional manipulation, political intimidation, or the selective deployment of state power.
“The struggle to preserve democracy is a collective responsibility, and the time to act is now.”
