Politics
‘Election Rulings Have Diminished Nigeria’s Judiciary’ – Utomi
Political economist and former presidential candidate, Pat Utomi, has blamed election-related judicial decisions for the declining public perception of Nigeria’s judiciary, saying rulings on electoral disputes have contributed significantly to the loss of confidence in the institution.
Utomi said the impact of such decisions was evident in the questions ordinary Nigerians were asking about the judiciary, particularly when court judgments produce electoral outcomes that appear inconsistent with the results initially announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking in a video, he described election rulings as a major source of the judiciary’s diminishing public standing.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Sowore Disowns Involvement in Utomi-Led Single-Candidate Talks
“Elections and rulings on matters of elections have been the biggest source of the diminishing of the judiciary in Nigeria,” he said.
Utomi recalled visiting a rural community where residents questioned the logic behind judicial decisions determining electoral outcomes.
He cited the 2020 Imo State governorship election, in which the Supreme Court overturned the declaration of Emeka Ihedioha as governor and declared Hope Uzodimma the winner.
According to Utomi, the judgment had become an example cited by citizens questioning the credibility of the judicial process.
“They say to you, this kind of judiciary we have, when you have election, and number four suddenly becomes the winner. Is there any logic in this, your judiciary functions?” he said, recounting the concerns expressed by the residents.
The Supreme Court delivered the judgment on January 14, 2020, declaring Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the Imo State governorship election and removing Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from office.
The decision generated considerable debate about the role of the judiciary in resolving electoral disputes and its implications for public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Utomi also questioned whether members of the legal profession were concerned about the effect of public perceptions on the dignity of the judiciary.
He challenged lawyers and judges to reflect on the declining respect for the profession and consider what could be done to restore public confidence in the courts.
“Is the legal profession, the bar, the bench, not concerned with the diminishing of… you know, used to be, somebody’s a lawyer in the nineteen fifties, people would say, ‘Wow, lawyer.’ But today people are saying judge,” he said.
He further questioned whether legal practitioners recognised the need to rebuild the judiciary’s reputation.
“Is there no professional sense of a need to reestablish dignity behind the bench?” Utomi asked.
His comments highlight concerns about the relationship between judicial decisions, electoral credibility and public trust in democratic institutions.
Politics
Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Stanley Nkwocha disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, announcing the Vice President’s visit to Ebonyi State for the campaign rally.
The rally is scheduled to take place at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, as part of the APC’s campaign activities under the Renewed Hope agenda.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Uyo for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
The announcement called on residents and party supporters to turn out in large numbers to welcome the Vice President, describing the event as an opportunity for massive political mobilisation.
“One city. Thousands of voices. An atmosphere of incredible energy,” the statement said.
Politics
NDC Warns Judiciary Against Turning Courts Into Tools for Political Opposition
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned the judiciary against allowing itself to be used to undermine democracy following the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The party expressed concern that the judgment, alongside other recent court decisions involving opposition parties, could weaken Nigeria’s multi-party democracy and restrict political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SEE ALSO: APC Pressuring Hotels to Deny Opposition Parties Venues – NDC Raises Alarm
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq. On Friday, the NDC said the manner in which some judgments, particularly those emanating from High Courts, were being delivered raised concerns about a possible attempt to exclude the ADC from the forthcoming elections.
While acknowledging the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, the party warned that court decisions capable of weakening opposition parties could create the impression that the judicial system was being used to frustrate democratic competition.
“The way some of these judgements are being churned out, especially from the High Courts suggests a deliberate effort to shut out the ADC from the forthcoming general elections by other means,” the statement read.
The NDC further argued that such developments could shrink the space for multi-party democracy, which it said was already facing significant threats under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party consequently urged the judiciary to safeguard its independence, impartiality and integrity, stressing the need to protect public confidence in the institution.
It also called on the ADC to appeal the judgment without delay, urging the appellate court to grant an accelerated hearing to ensure the leadership dispute does not linger ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the NDC, resolving the matter promptly would prevent uncertainty from undermining democratic participation and the ability of political parties to prepare for the forthcoming polls.
The party concluded its statement with the declaration: “A New Nigeria is Possible!”
Politics
APC Pressuring Hotels to Deny Opposition Parties Venues – NDC Raises Alarm
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly pressuring hotels in Abuja to deny the opposition party access to their facilities, describing the development as an attempt to undermine democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party raised the allegation in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director on Thursday, who expressed concern over what it described as increasing attempts to restrict the democratic space and silence opposition voices.
According to the NDC, it has faced not only alleged violent attacks by agents of the ruling APC but also discrimination from hotels and hospitality businesses in Abuja.
SEE ALSO: Two Suspected Political Thugs Killed After Attacking NDC Candidate’s Convoy in Ebonyi
The party specifically accused Rockview Hotel of cancelling agreements to provide facilities for its meetings on two separate occasions.
The first incident, according to the statement, occurred in June 2026 when the hotel allegedly withdrew its agreement to host the party’s second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting shortly before the scheduled event.
The NDC claimed that the hotel recently rejected another request to use its facilities for a meeting, allegedly informing the party that the decision came through an “order from above.”
The party also accused BON Hotel in Wuse, Abuja, of refusing to provide its facilities for a meeting despite the NDC claiming it had fulfilled all the conditions required.
The statement further alleged that the unveiling of the party’s National Campaign Council (NCC) was nearly disrupted after its event venue initially asked the party to refund its payment, saying it was no longer interested in making its facilities available.
The NDC suggested that the decision might have resulted from alleged threats or instructions from influential quarters.
However, the party said its insistence on using the facility after making payment eventually compelled the hotel to honour the arrangement.
Describing the alleged incidents as a threat to democratic participation, the NDC called on the APC to allow opposition parties to operate freely and campaign without interference.
“This is not democracy. The APC should allow all parties to campaign without let or hindrance, and give Nigerians the opportunity to make their choice on who governs them,” the statement said.
The party also urged Nigerians and supporters of democracy to call out Rockview Hotel and BON Hotel over what it described as their “anti-people and anti-democratic actions.”
Reaffirming its commitment to national development, the NDC declared that Nigerians deserved better governance and insisted that it was prepared to serve with passion and patriotism.
“Nigerians deserve better, and NDC is prepared to serve with passion and patriotism,” the statement added.
The party concluded with its declaration that “A New Nigeria is Possible.”





