Turaki-led PDP Calls Court Order To Deregister NDC Setback For Democracy

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki has faulted the court order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the National Democratic Party (NDC), describing it as a serious setback for Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement issued on Friday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party said it had received media reports of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja ordering the deregistration of the NDC, adding that it was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment.

The PDP faction expressed concern over the implications of the order, arguing that it further narrows Nigeria’s democratic space. “While we await the Certified True Copy of the judgment, we express our profound condemnation of the implications of the court order, which further constricts the democratic space in our country,” the statement said.

The party noted that the development was particularly troubling because many Nigerians had already invested time and resources to contest elective offices on the platform of the NDC.

“This order is not only an asphyxiation of multiparty democracy in Nigeria but also an economic crime against Nigerians who invested in the party,” it stated.

The Turaki-led PDP also alleged that the development aligns with what it described as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government’s efforts to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“This situation, though activated through the court, fits neatly into the playbook of the APC-led Federal Government, which appears unwilling to allow the survival of a genuine opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, in order to pave the way for the President’s unchallenged re-election,” the statement read.

It further accused the Federal Government of undermining political competition, saying, “The absurdities that have occurred under the APC Federal Government clearly demonstrate its disdain for fair political competition, which is most unfortunate.” The party called on the leadership of the NDC to challenge the court order through legal means.

“The leadership of the genuine Peoples Democratic Party urges the leadership of the NDC to vigorously challenge this order within the ambit of the law while seeking the support of the Nigerian people in the struggle for democratic consolidation,” the statement added. The PDP also urged the Federal Government to take deliberate steps to ease political tensions across the country.

“The Federal Government must take practical steps to reduce the political temperature of the country in the interest of peace, stability, and the preservation of democracy,” the statement stressed.