Paul Ibe, an aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has issued a call for opposition figures such as Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to consolidate their efforts before the 2027 polls. This appeal follows a ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja that overturned an earlier mandate requiring the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political entity.
Sharing his thoughts on X, Ibe characterized the Lokoja court’s decision as a warning to opposition members, claiming that President Bola Tinubu is actively working toward establishing a one-party state. He argued that the legal reversal demonstrates a lack of safe territory for the opposition and accused the administration of attempting to dismantle political rivals well in advance of the next general election.
Ibe cautioned that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy is at risk, suggesting that the president aims to remove all political competition. Despite these concerns, he insisted that opposition parties still have the opportunity to unite their resources. He specifically urged leaders like Obi and Kwankwaso to cooperate if they intend to challenge the dominance of the All Progressives Congress.
The Lokoja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Isah Dashen, vacated the previous directive that had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the NDC. The decision stemmed from a claim by the Peace Movement Party, which argued that its interests were ignored regarding the use of a specific party logo. Legal representatives confirmed that all previous actions regarding the NDC’s status are now voided until the matter is fully re-evaluated with all relevant parties included.
