Northern Stakeholders Protest, Warn Against Judicial Interference

A coalition of northern stakeholders has staged a peaceful protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja, raising concerns over what it described as growing threats to judicial independence and Nigeria’s democratic system.

The protest was led by Banki Sheriff, who addressed journalists on behalf of the group during the demonstration.

In a press statement dated May 4, 2026, and presented at the court premises, the group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cease all forms of interference, overt or covert, with the judiciary, warning that any manipulation of the courts could undermine the country’s constitutional order.

Sheriff said the protest was aimed at drawing attention to developments the group believes could erode democratic governance.

“This is a peaceful protest, but let there be no mistake: the issues before this nation are grave,” he said.

The group added that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends on strict adherence to the rule of law rather than power, pressure, or political convenience.

It stressed that democracy cannot thrive under intimidation or suppression of opposition voices, noting that civic space and dissent are essential to a functioning republic.

“A government that seeks to weaken the opposition betrays a lack of confidence in its own legitimacy,” Sheriff said, warning against what he described as a dangerous drift toward authoritarianism.

The stakeholders also expressed concern over alleged attempts to use legal or administrative processes to delist some political parties, particularly those with strong regional support in Northern Nigeria.