Politics
Nigeria risks instability without credible opposition in 2027 — Peterside
…says Supreme Court rulings may reshape opposition dynamics ahead of elections
By Juliet Umeh
Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank and President of ANAP Foundation, Atedo Peterside, has warned that Nigeria could face instability if credible opposition is undermined ahead of the 2027 general elections, as recent Supreme Court rulings begin to reshape the country’s political landscape.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television in Lagos, Peterside said the rulings affecting key opposition parties, while sparking national debate, have also raised deeper concerns about judicial credibility and the future of democratic competition.
According to him, “Democracy rests on credible elections and a trusted judiciary,” stressing that unequal access to timely justice remains a major concern.
He argued that only a privileged few appear to enjoy expedited court processes, citing long-standing delays experienced by ordinary Nigerians in the judicial system.
“Only some Nigerians get prompt hearing from the judiciary. The rest of us, if we bring similar cases, you may not even get a hearing in six months,” he said, recounting how a case involving his father lasted over two decades from the High Court to the Supreme Court.
On the political implications of the rulings, Peterside suggested that heightened attention on the African Democratic Congress, ADC, may have inadvertently boosted its profile.
“When institutions focus heavily on a party, it creates the impression that there is something significant about that party. In public relations terms, any kind of attention can become an advantage,” he said.
He observed that key opposition figures from the 2023 presidential election, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, are now aligned with the ADC, strengthening its position as a major opposition force.
“As soon as those who came second, third and fourth in the last election converged in one platform, that platform effectively became the main opposition party,” he said.
Peterside added that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may have lost its former influence following the exit of several key figures.
“Whatever PDP had has largely transmitted into ADC. PDP is no longer the PDP of the past,” he stated.
Looking ahead to 2027, Peterside projected a likely two-horse race between the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the ADC, provided the opposition party is allowed to participate freely.
“If the electoral system permits a fair contest, we are likely to see a two-horse race. But if not, it could trigger a serious crisis of legitimacy,” he warned.
He cautioned against any attempt to weaken opposition participation, noting that political stability depends on the perception of a credible and competitive system.
“You must give people a sense that change is possible through the ballot. Once that belief disappears, the consequences for stability can be severe,” he said.
On internal party dynamics, Peterside revealed that his decision to exit the Social Democratic Party, SDP, was informed by the shifting political alignment.
“I joined SDP to help build it into a major opposition platform. Once it became clear that would not happen, there was no basis to remain,” he explained.
Providing further insight, Peterside pointed to emerging voter registration patterns within the ADC, noting increased mobilisation in northern states such as Kano, Kaduna and Adamawa, driven by political influencers and grassroots engagement.
However, he expressed concern over relatively low participation from southern regions, particularly among educated youths, despite the availability of online registration.
“It is surprising that those who are more technologically equipped are not registering in comparable numbers. That could change, but for now, the momentum appears stronger in the North,” he said.
www.vanguardngr.com
A Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside an earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
The development was shared by Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a post on X on Friday.
The latest ruling by the presiding judge, Justice Isah Dashen comes days after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered INEC to register the Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA) as a political party.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who presided over the Abuja case, had directed INEC to issue the party with a certificate of registration within seven days after ruling in a suit filed by Tamunotonye Samuel Solomon Inioribo and two others.
More details are expected.
dailypost.ng
By Peter Duru, Makurdi
The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has distanced itself from claims that Mr. Emmanuel Agbo is the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections, describing such assertions as false and misleading.
In a statement signed by the party’s State Secretary, Dan Nyikwagh, and made available to journalists, the PDP said Agbo “is not and has never been” its governorship candidate, warning the public against being deceived by what it termed fraudulent claims.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Benue State Chapter, under the Chairmanship of Chief Ezekiel Adaji, wishes to unequivocally and categorically state that Emmanuel Agbo is not and has never been the governorship candidate of our great party for the 2027 general elections,” the statement said.
The PDP further maintained that any publication, video, or public statement presenting Agbo as its governorship flag bearer was “a deliberate falsehood, a calculated act of impersonation, and a clear attempt to deceive the good people of Benue State.”
According to the party, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, remains its recognized and legitimate governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Benue State PDP has, through a transparent and unanimous consensus process duly affirmed by party leaders, stakeholders, and members, recognized Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, as the authentic and legitimate governorship candidate of the party for the 2027 elections,” the statement added.
The party claimed that the consensus process was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and reflected the collective will of its members across the state.
The PDP warned that it would not tolerate attempts to create confusion within its ranks, disclosing that it had commenced legal and constitutional measures against those involved involved in impersonation.
The opposition party also called on media organizations, security agencies, and members of the public to disregard any narrative portraying Agbo as its governorship candidate.
“The PDP remains focused, united, and ready to rescue and rebuild Benue state under the capable umbrella of Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa,” the statement added.
www.vanguardngr.com
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at his residence in Kano State.
Obasanjo was received by Kwankwaso alongside the NDC governorship candidate in Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.
The visit was confirmed in a statement issued by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, who described the meeting as an occasion for cordial interactions and warm exchanges between the political leaders.
However, details of the discussions held during the closed-door meeting were not disclosed.
Kwankwaso, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence during Obasanjo’s second term in office between 2003 and 2007, has maintained a longstanding political relationship with the former president.
The meeting has further fuelled speculations about possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in light of reports suggesting efforts to strengthen opposition collaboration.
NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is widely regarded as a close ally of Obasanjo, who publicly supported him during the 2023 presidential election.
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