By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Obidient Movement has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the judiciary to prevent its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, from contesting the 2027 general election, following a recent court judgment deregistering the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The movement made the allegation on Monday during a press conference in Abuja titled, “The Road to Anarchy: A Press Conference by the Obidient Movement on Recent Dangerous Judicial Pronouncements in Nigeria.”
Addressing journalists at its head office in Abuja on Monday, the National Coordinator of the movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, described the judgment as politically motivated, alleging that it was aimed at frustrating Obi’s presidential ambition shortly after he joined the NDC.
According to Tanko, the suit challenging the registration of the NDC was filed by what he described as a faceless entity that lacked the legal standing to institute the action.
“Just three days after Nigeria’s incoming president, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, joined the NDC, a fictitious case was filed by a faceless entity to deregister the NDC, even though it had no locus standi in the case. And in a very laughable manner, the judiciary entertained the case and passed a kangaroo judgment on Friday, June 26, 2026,” he alleged.
He further claimed that the judgment formed part of a broader strategy to stop Obi from participating in the next presidential election.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this is a hatchet job by the present administration to ensure that our principal, Mr. Peter Obi, is not on the ballot in 2027,” Tanko said.
The Obidient Movement also accused the judiciary of compromising its independence by allegedly aligning with the APC-led administration.
“We are completely blunt: the Nigerian judiciary is actively surrendering itself to the dictation and caprices of the APC regime. It is no longer behaving as an impartial guardian of justice; it has been captured and weaponised as a tool of partisan warfare,” he alleged.
Tanko warned that continued judicial interference in political matters could erode public confidence in the courts and undermine democratic governance.
“The judiciary exists as the ultimate buffer between peace and chaos. It is the peacekeeping arm of civilised society. But if the judiciary outlives its usefulness, if it tells the common man that the courtroom is merely a marketplace where justice goes to the highest bidder or the most ruthless dictator, then the judiciary itself is signing the death warrant of our nation,” he said.
He also alleged that the APC was seeking to weaken opposition parties because it feared losing the 2027 general election.
“The ruling elite is utterly terrified. They see the massive, unstoppable coalition building under the NDC banner. They know they cannot win a free and fair contest on the merits of their disastrous governance. That is why they are desperately deploying state infrastructure and judicial technicalities to deregister and suppress viable opposition parties before a single ballot is cast in 2027,” he said.
Tanko urged supporters of the Obidient Movement across the country to remain calm and focused despite what he described as attempts to frustrate the opposition through legal and institutional means.
“Do not panic. Do not lose focus,” he said, while accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of partisanship and deliberate sabotage during the movement’s mobilisation efforts.
The movement called for the protection of judicial independence and an end to what it described as political manipulation of the democratic process.
“We shall defend democracy and protect judiciary independence. Justice must prevail and no political manipulation. Let the will of the people prevail,” Tanko said.
Expressing confidence in the opposition’s chances in the 2027 election, Tanko maintained that the proposed joint ticket of Peter Obi and Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso would be on the ballot regardless of the court ruling.
“The joint ticket of His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi and His Excellency Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso will be on the ballot in 2027, and we will defeat Tinubu, the APC, INEC, the judiciary and all other state machinery working against a new Nigeria.
“A new Nigeria free from the shackles of the APC is possible, and it will happen in 2027, whether Tinubu likes it or not,” he added.
