Jun 27, 2026

NDC: PDP Blasts Court Move to Kill Opposition Party as APC Power Grab

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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In a strongly worded press statement issued on June 26, 2026, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fiercely condemned a Federal High Court order in Lokoja directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the National Democratic Party (NDC).

Describing the ruling as “a setback for democracy” and an “asphyxiation of multiparty democracy,” the main opposition party warns it could pave the way for President Bola Tinubu’s unchallenged re-election in 2027.

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, expressed profound concern over the implications for Nigerians who had invested time, resources, and aspirations in the NDC platform.

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

The PDP frames the court decision — though judicial in form — as fitting “neatly into the playbook of the APC-led Federal Government,” which it accuses of systematically weakening genuine opposition.

This comes amid heightened political tensions as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

The party urges the NDC to vigorously challenge the order in court while calling on all Nigerians to defend democratic space.

It further appeals to the Federal Government to “reduce the political temperature of the country in the interest of peace, stability, and the preservation of democracy.”

The statement quickly drew passionate responses, reflecting deep public anxiety about the state of Nigeria’s democracy:

@NC_Okonkwo warned of desperation: “Bola Tinubu out of his desperation for power will set Nigeria ablaze… Under Bola Tinubu atrocities are being legitimized.”
@sirpeeworld voiced defiance: “Peter Obi and the NDC will NOT be denied we WILL be on the ballot in 2027.”
@Posimi13 praised the PDP’s stance: “Finally, some sense from the PDP!… This kind of judicial interference will not stand. We must all rise to defend democracy.”
Others raised alarms about judicial integrity, with calls for the Chief Justice of Nigeria to intervene and fears of a creeping one-party state.

Some questioned internal PDP dynamics, referencing factional issues involving figures like Nyesom Wike.

This development occurs against a backdrop of ongoing opposition realignments and legal battles involving political parties.

The NDC, which had positioned itself as a potential platform for figures like Peter Obi and others seeking alternatives to the dominant APC and PDP structures, now faces existential threats.

Critics see the timing as suspicious, especially given repeated accusations of judicial influence in political matters.

For millions of Nigerians weary of economic hardship, insecurity, and perceived governance failures, the PDP’s intervention resonates as a broader call to protect pluralism.

A shrinking democratic space risks deepening cynicism and polarization ahead of 2027.

As a veteran observer of Nigerian politics, one cannot ignore the human stakes: aspirants who poured savings into campaigns, youth seeking new political voices, and ordinary citizens yearning for credible alternatives.

Whether this court order stands or is overturned, it has already amplified conversations about the health of Nigeria’s democracy.

The PDP’s full statement underscores a urgent truth — multiparty competition is not a luxury but the bedrock of accountable governance. Nigerians across party lines will be watching closely how institutions respond in the coming weeks.

In these testing times, the real test for Nigeria’s democracy may not be elections alone, but whether its guardians — courts, parties, and citizens — can resist the temptation to tilt the field.