Obi described the development as shocking and unsettling, particularly given the proximity of the next general election and the potential consequences for opposition parties preparing to participate in the electoral process.
In a statement reacting to the judgment, the former Anambra State governor said he did not question the authority of the judiciary to determine disputes in accordance with the law. However, he stressed the importance of ensuring certainty in the political environment, especially as the country approaches another electoral cycle.
He argued that political parties and their candidates should not be subjected to prolonged uncertainty shortly before an election, noting that such situations could weaken public confidence in the electoral process and limit the ability of opposition parties to campaign effectively.
“I have received with shock the news of an order by the Federal High Court in Abuja nullifying the emergence of the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and all the actions he has taken. This is unsettling and surprising,” Obi stated.
He added that while he respected the court’s constitutional responsibility to adjudicate disputes, the timing and implications of the judgment raised important questions about the stability of the democratic process.
According to him, Nigeria needs a political environment in which parties can organise themselves, select candidates and present their programmes to voters without unnecessary disruptions.
Obi alleged that the instability confronting opposition parties was being engineered by the ruling party, claiming that similar tactics had been deployed against him during his involvement with the Labour Party.
He accused the ruling establishment of attempting to shrink the civic space and make it difficult for opposition politicians to conduct effective campaigns.
The former presidential candidate also alleged that opposition campaigns had been exposed to politically motivated violence, which he said was part of a broader pattern of hostility towards alternative political voices.
He maintained that democracy should be defined by the freedom of citizens to choose their leaders through credible elections rather than by prolonged disputes that could prevent political parties from participating effectively.
“One mark of democracy is that at all times, it is voters and not courts that choose leaders,” he said.
Obi, however, reaffirmed his confidence in the judiciary, recalling his record of respect for the courts while serving in public office. He appealed to the judicial institution and other stakeholders to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy by ensuring that the electoral process reflects the free and fair choices of citizens.
He emphasised that the courts have an essential role in interpreting the law and resolving political disputes, but warned against circumstances that could undermine the ability of voters to exercise their democratic rights.
The ADC has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis involving the faction led by Senator David Mark and another associated with Nafiu Bala Gombe. The disagreement has generated several legal battles over the party’s leadership structure, congresses and national convention.
The latest judgment has further intensified the dispute, raising questions about the status of the party’s leadership and decisions taken under the dissolved interim executive structure.
Obi said the situation was particularly concerning given the democratic challenges facing parts of West Africa, where military interventions and unconstitutional changes of government have threatened civilian rule.
He argued that Nigeria, as one of the region’s leading democracies, should demonstrate a stronger commitment to democratic institutions by protecting opposition politics rather than allowing circumstances that could weaken or eliminate competing political platforms.
According to him, the existence of strong and functional opposition parties is essential to democratic accountability, political competition and the protection of citizens’ interests.
He recalled that he had previously promised that, if elected President, he would pay particular attention to ensuring that opposition parties remained stable and functional.
Obi said his proposed approach would include protecting opposition parties from political persecution and ensuring that their candidates were not forced out of electoral contests through intimidation or institutional interference.
He stressed that political competition should be based on ideas, policies, leadership capacity and the ability to address the country’s challenges rather than efforts to weaken opponents.
The former governor therefore called on political leaders and relevant institutions to prioritise democratic stability and create an environment where all political parties could operate freely.
“This is a time to strengthen our democracy by allowing the opposition to thrive,” he declared.
He concluded by reiterating his belief in the possibility of building a better Nigeria, signing off with his familiar political slogan: “A new Nigeria is POssible.”
