Emmanuel OchayiAtiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President and the 2023 Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has described the Judiciary as the “biggest threat to Nigeria’s democracy.” He made this statement on Monday during the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, held at the Continental Hotel in Abuja.
“The Nigerian Judiciary, in less than two decades, has transitioned from being a beacon of hope for democratic sustenance to becoming, arguably, the greatest threat to our democracy,” Atiku said.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAtiku, who participated as a thematic discussant of a paper titled “Party Politics and Political Integrity: The Role of Political Parties and Opposition in Democracy” presented by Bayo Olukoshi, called for judicial reform. He argued that judicial recklessness and the growing interference of the judiciary in political matters are undermining Nigeria’s democratic principles.
Judiciary Undermining Democracy
Atiku expressed deep concern about how the judiciary has shifted from its original role of affirming voter choices to becoming a tool for negating the will of the electorate.
“The judiciary was meant to serve as the arbiter that affirms the choice of voters in electoral disputes,” Atiku stated. “But instead, it has twisted its mandate, even at the highest levels, to find technicalities that deny voters their choice. In some cases, the judiciary now seems to have replaced the voters in choosing our leaders.”
He warned of the grave consequences this could have on democracy, saying, “When democracy dies, the judiciary and its leadership do not necessarily survive intact. The judiciary also becomes a casualty in the implosion of democratic systems.”
Atiku linked this troubling development to the broader corruption that has permeated various sectors of Nigerian society, including the judiciary. “As the corruption of every facet of our society deepened, the judiciary soon followed. This is perhaps the most dangerous trend because, without a credible judiciary, there’s nowhere else for the aggrieved to turn to,” he added.
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The Role of Political Parties
Discussing the state of political parties in Nigeria, Atiku emphasised that democracy cannot survive without strong and democratic political parties, especially opposition parties.
“Ownership of parties by a few wealthy individuals or their subordination to individual big men is the antithesis of democracy,” Atiku remarked. “Party supremacy is critical, but it cannot be achieved with the current funding model, which is largely controlled by governors and a few wealthy individuals. This model is not democratic.”
He proposed democratising party funding, urging party members to contribute to and co-own their parties. “When people invest in something, they tend to be more engaged with it. In effective democracies, parties and candidates raise funds from the mass of members and supporters,” Atiku said.
He further cautioned against the mindset of relying on wealthy individuals to fund parties. “When members believe that ‘Atiku is rich,’ or ‘Tinubu is rich,’ or ‘Peter Obi is rich, so I don’t have to contribute,’ they surrender the party to the dominance of big men,” he explained.
Reforming Nigeria’s Judiciary and Democracy
Atiku called for comprehensive reforms to address the challenges within Nigeria’s judiciary and political system. He warned that without severe consequences for judicial misconduct, Nigeria’s democracy and political parties would remain at risk of collapse.
“If the rot in the judiciary continues unchecked, democracy in this country will not survive,” Atiku said. He also acknowledged the difficulty of initiating reforms under the current administration but stressed the importance of focusing on long-term solutions.
“No party or individual stays in power indefinitely. Reforms should be for the future, not just for today,” he stated.
Democracy at a Crossroads
Reflecting on Nigeria’s current political situation, Atiku noted that democracy in the country is at a critical juncture. “Nigeria’s democracy is at a crossroads, and we are at risk of eroding it completely,” he said.
He rejected the notion that the current challenges were caused by a single administration, saying, “These problems are the result of years of neglect and failure to take corrective actions to protect and deepen our democracy.”
Atiku also highlighted his personal contributions to the promotion of democratic governance in Nigeria. “At the risk of sounding immodest, I doubt there are many senior political leaders who have done more to promote democracy in Nigeria than I have. I have made public statements, presentations, and even brought landmark cases to court to uphold democratic principles,” he said.
The Way Forward
Atiku concluded by urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding democracy. “A number of us have warned that if we fail to protect our democracy, we may lose it entirely. It is not too late to take corrective actions, but the time to act is now,” he said.
He reiterated that judicial reform and strengthening political parties are critical to ensuring a sustainable democracy in Nigeria. “Our democracy can only be sustained if we address these issues head-on. We must prioritise reforms to build a better future for the next generation,” he concluded.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
