Protesters storm Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged move to ban opposition parties
A large crowd of protesters gathered on Monday at the Federal High Court Abuja, raising concerns over what they described as a possible plan to remove some opposition political parties from Nigeria’s political space.
The demonstrators also warned Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to interfere with the independence of the courts and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The group, known as Concerned Northern Nigeria Stakeholders, marched to the court premises located in the Wuse area of Abuja. They sang protest songs and carried placards with messages calling for the protection of democracy and fair elections.
Security was heavy at the scene. Armed officers, including personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS), were stationed at the entrance and stopped the protesters from gaining access into the court compound.
Speaking during the protest, the group’s leader, Banki Sharrif, said there are growing fears about threats to Nigeria’s democratic system. He accused the federal government of trying to influence legal processes for political reasons.
Sharrif urged President Tinubu to stay away from any action that could affect the independence of the judiciary. He stressed that the courts must remain neutral and not be used to serve political interests.
He also said that any attempt to weaken opposition parties shows a lack of confidence in the government. According to him, democracy works best when different political voices are allowed to compete freely.
The group maintained that without a strong opposition, elections would lose credibility and become meaningless. They called for fairness, transparency, and equal opportunities for all political parties.
Sharrif also criticised the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, saying the office must remain neutral and should not be influenced by politics.
The protest highlights rising concerns among some groups about the state of democracy and political freedom in the country.