Former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the judiciary to destroy democracy, while working frantically to institute a one-party system, which eliminates effective opposition to its candidates.
Secondus warned that such judicial rascality might lead to a one-party system and undermine democracy in Nigeria if unchecked.
Reacting to the recent Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Lifu deregistering some political parties, including African Democratic Congress (ADC), Secondus expressed disappointment and deep concern over the development midway through the political cycle, after the parties had completed their primary elections, with their candidates ready for the campaign process.
The former PDP chairman said, in a statement in Abuja, that the decision was not just a setback for the affected parties but a dangerous assault on the foundational principles of multi-party democracy, citizen participation, and the rule of law.
Secondus accused the federal government of deliberately destroying opposition parties to achieve one-party rule.
“They are afraid of the election; they want a coronation,” he said.
Secondus stated, “To deregister the parties midway effectively disenfranchises voters, creates political instability, and narrows the democratic space, especially when a crisis has been deliberately injected into other parties.
“It’s judicial ras# Secondus Accuses APC of Plotting One-Party System, Faults Court Ruling on Parties
Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken Nigeria’s democracy and push the country toward a one-party system.
Secondus also alleged that the government is increasingly relying on the judiciary to undermine opposition parties, warning that such actions could erode democratic governance if not checked.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the former PDP chairman expressed concern over a recent Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Lifu, which reportedly affected the status of some political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He argued that the decision came at a sensitive time in the electoral cycle, after parties had concluded primaries and fielded candidates for upcoming elections.
According to him, the ruling represents not only a setback for the affected parties but also a broader threat to multi-party democracy, political participation, and the rule of law in Nigeria.
Secondus accused the federal government of deliberately weakening opposition structures to pave the way for uncontested political dominance.
“They are afraid of the election; they want a coronation,” he said.
He further argued that deregistering or disrupting political parties mid-cycle disenfranchises voters, destabilises the political environment, and restricts democratic space.
Secondus described the development as “judicial rascality,” insisting that dissolving or weakening parties during an active electoral process undermines fair competition and damages public confidence in the electoral system.
He added that a strong democracy must allow easy entry for alternative political ideas, warning that actions which disadvantage smaller or emerging parties ultimately reinforce entrenched political interests and limit grassroots participation.
The former PDP chairman called for greater protection of political plurality in Nigeria, stressing that democratic systems thrive only when all parties are allowed to compete on a level playing field.
cality to endorse political exclusion by dissolving parties midway through a cycle. This obvious disruption creates unnecessary vacuums and chills the competitive spirit necessary for a healthy democracy.
“A robust democracy requires a low barrier to entry for alternative ideas. By dismantling smaller or emerging parties mid-cycle, the system heavily favours the entrenched political establishment and locks out grassroots movements needed for a robust democracy.”
