2027: Using Judiciary Against Opposition Could Trigger Political Crisis, Ex-APC Spokesman Warns Presidency

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has warned that the alleged use of the judiciary to undermine opposition parties could plunge Nigeria into a political crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Frank accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of allegedly deploying judicial processes to frustrate opposition figures and weaken the African Democratic Congress (ADC), particularly over the political ambition of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

He called on the United States Government and other members of the international community to prevail on the Nigerian government to uphold democratic principles, protect judicial independence and respect the constitutional rights of opposition parties.

Frank made the call in a statement on Thursday while reacting to a recent court judgment which, according to him, had raised concerns about alleged attempts to frustrate Atiku’s political ambition and restrict opposition participation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Describing the judgment as part of an alleged broader political agenda, the former APC spokesman accused those in power of attempting to use the judiciary to contain the growing influence of opposition parties.

He said, “The recent court judgment has raised serious concerns about what appears to be a desperate act by the Presidency—an act reminiscent of a dying man clutching at straws.

“It is a desperate act from the Presidency. I must warn that the judiciary must stay clear of the 2027 elections. Its independence and impartiality are fundamental to the survival of our democracy.”

Frank also alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was being used as an intermediary to influence judicial actors against opposition politicians.

He claimed that meetings and political consultations allegedly took place shortly after Atiku’s recent political engagement in Sokoto, which he said had attracted considerable public attention.

According to him, the alleged consultations were aimed at frustrating Atiku’s political ambition after attempts to stop the Sokoto event from holding reportedly failed.

“We were aware that immediately after the Sokoto outing, there were meetings aimed at thwarting Atiku’s ambition. Despite all efforts to prevent the Sokoto event from holding, it went ahead and has remained the talk of the town. Now, they appear to have resorted to this approach,” he said.

The former APC chieftain, who also serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to defend the independence of the judiciary and ensure that the courts were not perceived as instruments of the ruling party.

“The Chief Justice of Nigeria must wake up to her constitutional responsibilities as the guardian of judicial independence. The judiciary must not be perceived as an extension of the APC-led government.

“Such a perception will erode public confidence in our democratic institutions and could drive Nigeria towards anarchy,” he warned.

Frank expressed hope that the Court of Appeal would approach the matter differently, stressing that the controversy surrounding the judgment could further heighten political tension if not properly addressed.

He specifically appealed to the United States Government to call the Tinubu administration to order, while urging other international partners to closely monitor Nigeria’s political and judicial developments ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The international community, particularly the United States, must pay close attention to developments in Nigeria. The alleged weaponisation of the judiciary against the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections poses a grave threat to our democracy and could plunge Africa’s largest country into a serious political crisis,” he stated.

Frank further accused the Tinubu administration of allegedly undermining political participation in Northern Nigeria through judicial processes targeting Atiku’s presidential ambition.

He maintained that the controversy should not be treated as a personal political battle involving the former Vice-President but as a wider concern about the survival of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

“If President Tinubu is genuinely popular, let him demonstrate it through free, fair and credible elections, conducted through the established mechanisms of INEC and not the judiciary.

“It is obvious that President Tinubu is afraid and does not want any contest. The only option left is to get Atiku out of his way through the courts,” Frank alleged.

He warned that government officials found culpable in any attempt to undermine opposition participation would be held accountable.

“Let me make this clear: should anything go wrong, all government officials found responsible will be held accountable,” he declared.

Despite his concerns, Frank urged opposition parties and their supporters not to be discouraged, stressing that unity, perseverance and active democratic participation remained critical to protecting Nigeria’s political future.

He also called on Nigerian youths, civil society organisations, elder statesmen and former political leaders to unite in defending judicial independence and democratic institutions.

Frank cautioned political actors against celebrating the political or legal difficulties of their opponents, warning that a precedent established against one political leader could eventually affect others.

“No political camp should celebrate, because what happens to Atiku today could happen to another political leader tomorrow,” he said.

He insisted that the matter transcended Atiku’s political ambition and concerned the future of Nigeria’s democracy.

“This must not be seen as an Atiku issue alone; it concerns the future of every Nigerian and the survival of our democracy.

“Let us unite as a country—our youths, civil society organisations, elder statesmen and former leaders—to defend democracy and prevent anarchy through the protection of judicial independence.

“Nigeria must not be pushed into chaos,” he added.

Frank signed the statement in his capacity as ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East and Senior Adviser to the Global Friendship City Association, USA.