A group of lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused judges in Nigeria of overstepping their authority by interfering in the party’s internal affairs. The accusation comes amidst a legal attempt to stop the party’s upcoming national convention.
The PDP caucus in the House of Representatives has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC), the body that oversees the judiciary, to issue a warning to judges. They want the NJC to stop the courts from getting involved in political party matters.
This situation began when some PDP members, believed to be supporters of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, went to court. They asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent the party from holding its national convention, which is scheduled for the 15th of November.
Last Thursday, the judge in the case, Justice James Omotosho, refused to grant their immediate request to stop the convention. However, he also made a pronouncement that has angered the PDP lawmakers. He stated that any actions taken by the party to prepare for the convention while the case is ongoing could be considered invalid.
In a strong statement, the leader of the PDP House caucus, Fred Agbedi, said the caucus is “deeply concerned” that some judges are making themselves available to “desperate politicians.” He warned that this could be used to subvert democracy and force a one-party system on Nigeria.
The lawmakers argued that while the judge refused to block the convention outright, his comments act as an “enabler” for those who want to disrupt the PDP’s activities. They fear this could prevent the main opposition party from organising properly and presenting candidates for the 2027 elections.
“This, in our view, amounts to judicial overreach,” Agbedi stated, meaning the court is getting involved in matters that should be for the party to decide.
The PDP caucus has now appealed to the NJC to step in. They said the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the judiciary’s independence and integrity, and that courts must not become a “willing tool” for destabilising political institutions. The court case itself is set to continue for further hearings.
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