Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concerns over the judiciary's role in Nigeria's democracy, labeling it the biggest threat to democratic governance in the country.
Speaking as a panellist at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Abuja, organized by prominent institutions including the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) and the National Peace Committee (NPC), Atiku criticized judicial actions that undermine voters' choices.
"The judiciary seems to have replaced voters in choosing our leaders. Rather than affirming voters' choices, it twists technicalities to deny them," Atiku said.
He accused the judiciary of enabling the destruction of political parties and failing to address electoral disputes effectively. "The judiciary, even at the highest levels, sanctions actions that erode democratic principles," he added.
Atiku highlighted the erosion of integrity within the judiciary, warning that without accountability, Nigeria's democracy could collapse. "If the rot in our judiciary persists, our parties and democracy are unlikely to survive," he stated.
Reflecting on his contributions to democratic development, Atiku emphasized his active role in promoting good governance, citing legal battles that resulted in landmark decisions strengthening democratic practices.
“Nigeria’s democracy is at a crossroads,” he said, urging collective efforts to protect and deepen democratic governance in the country.
