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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
Northern stakeholders, under the banner of the Northern Nigerians Concern Stakeholders, on Monday staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, voicing deep concerns over the state of the judiciary and Nigeria’s democracy.
The protesters gathered at Unity Fountain before marching to the Federal High Court, where they addressed journalists and tabled their demands.
Convener of the group, Banki Shariff, said the protest was aimed at drawing urgent national attention to what he described as looming threats to constitutional order.
“We stand today at the steps of the Federal High Court, a symbol of justice and constitutional order, to sound a clear, urgent, and uncompromising alarm,” Shariff declared. “This is a peaceful protest, but the issues before this nation are grave. History will not be kind to silence or complicity.
“Courts must never be reduced to instruments of political engineering. The moment justice is manipulated, the nation itself is placed on trial.”
Shariff stressed that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends on strict adherence to the rule of law, free from political interference or convenience.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to refrain from any form of interference in judicial processes, warning that such actions could erode public trust in democratic institutions.
The group also expressed concern over what it described as attempts to stifle opposition voices, noting that democracy thrives on dissent and healthy political competition.
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“Democracy cannot function under intimidation, coercion, or manipulation,” Shariff said. “Civic space and lawful opposition are not inconveniences—they are the lifeblood of any functioning republic.
“A government that seeks to weaken opposition betrays a lack of confidence in its legitimacy. Suppressing competition is not strength—it is fear.”
He warned that any judicial endorsement of politically motivated actions, especially those that could weaken or delist opposition parties, would be dangerous and could deepen national divisions.
The stakeholders further urged the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to remain neutral and uphold the rule of law, cautioning against its alleged use for political purposes.
Shariff warned that perceived judicial bias could trigger instability. “Where the judiciary is seen as an extension of the executive, citizens lose faith in lawful remedies. When courts fail, the streets become the courtroom,” he said.
He added that the group would continue to monitor developments closely and remain committed to defending democracy through peaceful and constitutional means.
The protesters further urged authorities to uphold the Constitution, protect judicial independence, and safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
