Paul Ibe, media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigeria’s opposition leaders to close ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the earlier judgment which led to the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Reacting to Friday’s decision of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, Ibe described the ruling as a clear signal that opposition parties could face increasing political challenges if they fail to work together before the next election.
In a post on his X account, he argued that the judgment should serve as a rallying point for opposition figures and accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of attempting to weaken democratic competition.
“The decision of the Federal High Court Lokoja in settting aside its earlier judgement on the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) should be a wake-up call that there is no hiding place for the opposition as the incompetent and clueless Tinubu @officialABAT sets his sights on enthroning a de facto one-party state,” Ibe wrote.
He further alleged that the President’s political objective was becoming increasingly evident.
“His message is loud and clear: that he will obliterate the opposition and destroy our hard-won democracy if he does not have his way in the 2027 election,” he said.
Ibe maintained that despite the latest legal setback, opposition leaders still had sufficient time to build a broad coalition capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.
He specifically mentioned Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and other opposition figures as potential partners in such an alliance.
“It is not too late for the opposition to harmonize their strengths ahead of 2027 if the Yar’Adua 2.0 President Tinubu is to be retired to either Bourdillon or Iragbiji!” he added.
His comments followed Friday’s ruling by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which set aside the court’s earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
The court held that its earlier decision affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the logo adopted by the NDC but was not joined as a party in the original proceedings.
Following the judgment, counsel to the PMP, C.S. Ekeocha, said the court restored all parties to the legal position they occupied before the December 10, 2025 judgment and directed that all necessary parties be joined before the substantive suit proceeds.
He added that every action taken by INEC pursuant to the earlier judgment, including the registration and recognition of the NDC, had been reversed pending the final determination of the case.
(Ripples)