PDP Describes Court Order Against NDC as Setback for Nigeria’s Democracy

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the Federal High Court’s order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a setback for Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment but condemned what it described as the implications of the court order.

According to the party, the ruling further narrows Nigeria’s democratic space, particularly after many Nigerians had invested resources to contest elective offices on the platform of the NDC.

The PDP argued that the order weakens multiparty democracy and amounts to an economic loss for party members and supporters who committed resources to the NDC.

“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.

“This is particularly disturbing, coming after Nigerians had expended their resources to aspire to various elective offices under 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,” the statement read.

The opposition party further alleged that the development aligns with what it described as efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It claimed the government was unwilling to allow the emergence and survival of a strong opposition capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The PDP also accused the Federal Government of undermining fair political competition, saying recent developments reflect a disregard for democratic principles.

The party urged the NDC leadership to challenge the court order through legal means while calling on Nigerians to support efforts to protect and strengthen democracy.

It further appealed to the Federal Government to take practical steps to reduce political tension in the country in the interest of peace, stability and democratic consolidation.