…Accuses Presidency of using judiciary against opposition, warns of political crisis ahead of 2027 elections
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Thursday, accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of allegedly deploying the judiciary to undermine opposition parties, warning that such actions could plunge Nigeria into political crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Frank called on the United States Government and other members of the international community to intervene and prevail on the Nigerian government to respect democratic principles, judicial independence and the constitutional rights of opposition parties.
He was reacting to a recent court judgment which, according to him, raised serious concerns about alleged attempts to frustrate the political ambition of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and weaken the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement, Frank described the judgment as a desperate attempt by those in power to use the judiciary to contain the growing political influence of the opposition.
He alleged that the decision was part of a broader plot to prevent Atiku from participating effectively in the 2027 presidential election.
“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,” he said.
Frank further alleged that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was being used as an intermediary to influence judicial actors against opposition politicians.
He claimed that political meetings and consultations were held after Atiku’s recent political outing in Sokoto, which he said had generated considerable attention.
According to him, the alleged moves were intended to frustrate Atiku’s political ambition after attempts to prevent the Sokoto engagement from holding failed.
He said: “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.”
Frank, who is also the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to rise to the responsibility of protecting judicial independence and ensuring 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.
He expressed hope that the Court of Appeal would approach the matter differently, cautioning that the controversy surrounding the judgment could heighten political tension if not properly addressed.
Frank particularly appealed to the United States Government to call the Tinubu administration to order, while urging other international partners to closely monitor developments in Nigeria 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 said.
The former APC spokesman also accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to undermine political participation in the North by allegedly using judicial processes to weaken Atiku’s presidential ambition.
He insisted that the controversy should not be viewed as a personal battle involving Atiku alone, but as a broader question concerning 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 any government official found culpable in actions aimed at undermining 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.
Frank, however, urged opposition parties and their supporters not to be discouraged by the development, insisting that unity, perseverance and democratic participation remained essential to protecting the country’s political future.
He called on youths, civil society organisations, elder statesmen and former political leaders to unite in defence of judicial independence and democratic institutions.
He also cautioned political actors against celebrating the misfortunes of their opponents, arguing 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.
Frank maintained that Nigeria must not be allowed to descend into political instability because of disagreements over electoral competition.
“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.