Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former vice president, has raised alarms over what he describes as the judiciary’s growing threat to the nation’s democracy, warning that its actions may plunge the country into a political crisis. Speaking on January 28, 2025, in Abuja during a national conference aimed at strengthening democracy in Nigeria, Atiku questioned the judiciary’s role, arguing that it has become the most formidable force undermining the will of the people and the integrity of the nation’s democratic institutions.
In a scathing assessment delivered as part of a panel discussion on the topic “Party Politics and Political Integrity,” Atiku said that decades of judicial recklessness have led to a distortion of Nigeria’s political landscape. Organized by prominent democratic advocacy groups, including the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development (Centre LSD) and the National Peace Committee (NPC), the conference brought together political leaders and civil society experts to discuss the state of democracy in Nigeria.
Atiku’s critique focused largely on the judiciary’s handling of electoral disputes, which he believes have not served to affirm voter choice but to further weaken the power of the electorate. “The judiciary has replaced the will of the people with personal agendas,” Atiku told the audience, highlighting the rising trend where courts increasingly dictate political outcomes, at times contradicting the voice of voters.
“Instead of upholding the sanctity of our elections,” he continued, “the judiciary often twists and contorts to find technicalities that deny voters their choice. In doing so, they undermine the very foundation of our democratic system, which is built on the will of the people.”
This harsh evaluation by Atiku resonates with ongoing concerns across Nigeria about the judiciary’s interference in political processes, especially following controversial court rulings in recent electoral cycles. According to Atiku, the persistent failure of judicial reforms to address these issues has left Nigerian democracy vulnerable to exploitation by individuals in positions of power.
“The reforms intended to curb judicial recklessness have yielded no tangible results,” he claimed. “What’s alarming is that the same judiciary that once upheld the primacy of political parties in selecting their candidates now permits individuals to undermine the very structure of those parties.”
Atiku’s remarks echo broader critiques of judicial overreach that have intensified over recent years. He pointed out that this “recklessness” could have dire consequences for Nigeria’s future. “If the rot in our judiciary persists unchecked, we may well be on a path to the destruction of our democratic process,” Atiku warned, sounding a call for urgent intervention.
In his passionate address, Atiku also recalled the dark chapter in Nigeria’s political history, citing how the country’s judiciary narrowly survived the fall of the First Republic. He stressed that it was only due to the presence of courageous independent justices that the judiciary avoided complete collapse in the wake of military interventions. “When democracy dies, the judiciary does not necessarily survive with it. We saw this when the First Republic crumbled—when the country’s democratic order disintegrated, the judiciary too came close to failure,” he noted.
Drawing from this historical perspective, Atiku emphasized the critical role of the judiciary in ensuring Nigeria’s continued survival as a democracy. He warned that, should the judiciary fail to regain its independence and integrity, it would not just threaten the party system but the entire democratic framework, pushing the country toward dictatorship. “This is the most dangerous situation we face,” he said.
The former vice president acknowledged the broader national challenges facing the country’s democracy. “Nigeria’s democracy is at a crossroads,” he noted. “It stands at risk of eroding completely. But let us not be fooled: it isn’t because of one single person or administration. This has been years in the making.”
Atiku has long been a vocal advocate for Nigerian democracy. Reflecting on his contributions, he proudly reiterated his role in defending democratic values. “I have spoken out publicly more than most and taken action in court to protect democracy,” Atiku said. “These were not actions taken lightly. They stemmed from a genuine belief that democracy is the path to development and unity for our diverse society.”
Asserting his unique position among his political peers, Atiku said, “At the risk of sounding modest, no other leader in our country has done as much as I have to champion democratic governance. Beyond my public statements, I led the charge in legal battles that resulted in landmark judicial decisions aimed at reinforcing democratic principles. Though some of these actions came from political struggles, they reflected my deep conviction that democracy is crucial for Nigeria’s prosperity.”
In his comments on the role of political parties, Atiku also discussed the overwhelming influence of the judiciary on party politics, asserting that the judiciary has too often overstepped its bounds by disregarding party integrity and endorsing questionable political maneuvers. “Today, a few individuals with private agendas can distort the foundations of parties, a situation we must not allow to persist,” he warned.
Atiku’s outspoken criticism is significant given the political landscape of Nigeria, where power struggles and political rivalries often play out in the courts. His comments invite urgent reflection on the current trajectory of Nigerian democracy and the pressing need for judicial reform. Atiku’s position places him squarely at odds with factions of the judiciary, underscoring his firm stance on ensuring that political will and democratic values triumph over systemic malpractices.
