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By Lawrence Agbo
Former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, has warned judges against delivering rulings that could be interpreted as attempts to influence the outcome of the 2027 elections, saying the judiciary must remain neutral to protect Nigeria’s democracy.
Frank said judges handling politically sensitive cases should resist pressure from politicians and powerful interests, stressing that decisions affecting opposition parties could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democratic future.
His comments followed ongoing court disputes involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
In a statement on Tuesday, Frank alleged that there were efforts to use the courts to weaken opposition parties ahead of the next general election.
He urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the National Judicial Council and judges at various levels of the judiciary to uphold the rule of law and preserve the independence of the courts.
According to him, judges must ensure that political cases are determined strictly on their merits rather than partisan considerations.
“The international community is watching what is happening in Nigeria,” Frank said. “Judges should be careful in handling political and other sensitive matters because their decisions will be closely scrutinised.”
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He alleged that some political actors were seeking court orders that could destabilise the ADC leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark and potentially affect the party’s participation in future elections.
Frank further claimed there were attempts to influence judicial processes in cases involving the opposition, warning that any move aimed at excluding candidates from contesting elections would undermine democratic principles.
He argued that judgments perceived as politically motivated could erode public confidence in the judiciary and attract criticism from outside the country.
The activist also claimed that foreign governments and international institutions were monitoring developments within Nigeria’s justice system and could take action against individuals found to be aiding anti-democratic practices.
“Those who use the judiciary to undermine democracy should know there may be consequences,” he said.
Frank extended his appeal to judges of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, urging them to protect the integrity of the electoral process as the nation moves closer to another election cycle.
He maintained that democracy can only flourish when all qualified political parties and candidates are allowed to participate freely, adding that the judiciary has a crucial responsibility to ensure that electoral contests are decided by voters rather than court-induced political manoeuvres.
