Tinubu, APC out to cripple opposition ahead of 2027 election – Habibu, Zuwoghe

The Federal High Court judgment nullifying the legal recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has sparked fresh political controversy with divergent opinions from political actors and stakeholders.

To the Kwankwasiyya Movement, the ruling was part of a deliberate plot by the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST in Kano, the movement’s spokesperson, Habibu Saleh Mai Lemo, said the judgment did not come as a surprise, alleging that the ruling party had consistently deployed various tactics to undermine political opponents.

“We already knew that Tinubu and the APC will do anything in their power to suppress the opposition, so we were not shocked by this new development because they have used several tricks to wound other opposition parties before us. So this will not destroy or delay any of our plans ahead of the 2027 elections.”

Mai Lemo expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the ruling, which he said was contrary to the rule of law.

“We have hope that the Court of Appeal will ensure justice is served because this ruling goes totally against the rule of law and we will not stand for it. This is not a fight for our political future alone; it is a struggle to ensure that the Tinubu administration does not succeed in destroying the opposition bloc and promoting a one-party system as it is clearly trying to do.”

He argued that the issue goes beyond the fortunes of the NDC and other opposition parties, warning that it poses a threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles.

“We must strive to protect democratic principles because this doesn’t just affect the members of the NDC or other opposition parties; it affects the fundamental rights of the average Nigerian by trying to take away our right to choose our leaders from a variety of choices as it should be in any functional democratic society.”

The controversy follows Friday’s ruling by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, where Justice Isah Dashen set aside the court’s December 10, 2025 judgment that had compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.

In Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, the court upheld an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), holding that it was a necessary party that ought to have been joined in the original suit. Justice Dashen ruled that the failure to include the PMP amounted to a denial of fair hearing, rendering the earlier judgment invalid.

The judge consequently ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the December 2025 judgment pending the fresh determination of the substantive case, noting that material facts were not brought before the court during the earlier proceedings.

DAILY POST reports that the latest development comes at a time Nigeria’s opposition parties are facing a wave of legal and internal challenges that could shape the outcome of the 2027 general elections.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued to grapple with leadership disputes and litigation over its national leadership, while the Labour Party remains mired in a prolonged factional crisis that has divided its leadership and organisational structures.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has recently emerged as a rallying platform for a coalition of prominent opposition figures seeking to challenge the APC in 2027, has also faced legal contests over its leadership and internal administration.

Political observers believe the succession of court cases, leadership tussles and internal wrangling across opposition parties could weaken their ability to mobilise supporters, conclude candidate selection processes and present a united front against the ruling APC.

Reacting to the ruling, NDC National Chairman, Sen. Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, maintained that the party had not been deregistered and announced that its legal team had been directed to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.

In a statement, Zuwoghe said the NDC was duly registered by INEC following the December 2025 judgment and has since conducted nationwide congresses and conventions, participated in INEC activities, fielded candidates in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states, and concluded primaries for the 2027 general elections.

He also questioned the legal standing of the Peace Movement Party, arguing that it is not a registered political party and insisting that the Federal High Court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in the suit against INEC.

Speaking exclusively in an interview with DAILY POST, Kano-based legal practitioner, Barrister Zulkallani Sani Tsanyawa, said the Federal High Court’s decision does not mark the end of the legal battle, stressing that the ruling remains open to challenge.

“The implication of the unprecedented latest ruling regarding NDC is that the ruling can be challenged before the same court and also can be appealed to the Court of Appeal. Yes, the ruling can be challenged and may be set aside.”

Tsanyawa noted that Nigeria’s judicial system provides equal opportunities for both the ruling party and opposition parties to ventilate their grievances in court.

“Well, judiciary is for both ruling party and opposition parties. This can be seen and attested by the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal on deregistration of ADC and other four political parties.”

He, however, urged judges of both the state and federal High Courts to adhere to legal standards and principles in order to strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice.

“Both judicial officers and legal practitioners, both state and federal High Courts should adhere to the apex court to maintain the confidence of the general public in the judiciary.”

The NDC’s appeal is expected to determine the party’s legal status as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather pace, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for the ever evolving political landscape.

Tinubu, APC out to cripple opposition ahead of 2027 election – Habibu, Zuwoghe