Get Guardian on GoogleFormer 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.
