Northern protesters warn against judicial interference, democratic erosion

By Abubakar Yunusa

Northern stakeholders, under the aegis of Northern Nigerians Concern Stakeholders, on Monday staged a peaceful protest in Abuja over mounting concerns about the judiciary and Nigeria’s democratic health.

The demonstrators gathered at Unity Fountain before marching to the Federal High Court, where they addressed journalists and tabled a list of demands centred on judicial independence and constitutional order.

Convener of the group, Banki Shariff, said the protest was aimed at drawing urgent national attention to what he described as looming threats to the nation’s democracy.

Standing at the court premises, Shariff warned that the integrity of the judiciary must not be compromised for political expediency.

“Courts must never be reduced to instruments of political engineering. The moment justice is manipulated, the nation itself is placed on trial,” he said.

He stressed that the survival of democracy depended on strict adherence to the rule of law, rather than political pressure or convenience.

Shariff called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to refrain from any form of interference in the judiciary, cautioning that such actions could erode public trust in democratic institutions.

The group also decried alleged moves to weaken opposition voices, insisting that dissent and political competition remain vital pillars of any functioning democracy.

“Democracy cannot function under intimidation or manipulation. Suppressing opposition is not strength; it is fear,” Shariff added.

He warned that any judicial action perceived as endorsing political exclusion could deepen divisions and trigger unrest across the country.

The protesters further urged the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to maintain neutrality and uphold the rule of law, warning against its alleged deployment for political ends.

Shariff cautioned the judiciary against relying on technicalities that could weaken or delist political parties, particularly those with significant support in the North.

He noted that any perception of bias could erode confidence in the courts and push citizens towards alternative means of seeking justice.

“When courts fail, the streets become the courtroom,” he warned.

The group, however, reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful and constitutional engagement, vowing to continue monitoring developments while demanding strict adherence to democratic principles.