Nigeria’s democracy is teetering on the brink, not because of ballot box stuffing or electoral malpractice, but because the judiciary once revered as the last hope of the common man has, in the words of High Chief Peter Ameh, become “the real enemy within.”
The former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) delivered a blistering critique of Nigeria’s courts, warning that corruption on the bench has eroded public trust and endangered the very foundation of constitutional rule.
“The judiciary is the problem,” Ameh declared. “When INEC undermines elections, the courts are supposed to be the last hope of the common man. But instead, they twist the law to favour those in power. That is the real threat to our democracy.”
Ameh cited the unresolved case filed by PDP governors seeking clarity on whether the President has powers to suspend duly elected governors and assemblies.
“For six months, the Supreme Court has refused to hear the case,” he fumed. “They know the President has no such power, but they are afraid of delivering a judgment that goes against him. They prefer to wait out the suspension period so the case dies quietly. That is not justice — it is abdication.”
He also recalled what he described as a disturbing episode in the case of Senator Cynthia DeSiyan, where a presiding judge reportedly confessed he had “no pleasure” in ruling on the matter.
“What else do you need to confirm that the judiciary has been captured? When judges speak like that, they forfeit every ounce of moral authority,” Ameh charged.
The former IPAC boss said his remarks reinforce the recent condemnation by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who decried judicial corruption. But Ameh insisted that Nigerians cannot afford to dismiss such warnings as mere rhetoric.
“Everyone knows corruption has eaten deep into the judiciary, but we pretend otherwise,” he argued. “This pretense is destroying confidence in the courts, in INEC, and in the entire democratic process.”
With judicial compromise corroding faith in post-election redress, Ameh urged Nigerians to take ownership of election integrity at the grassroots.
“We must protect results announced at the polling booths ourselves,” he insisted. “If we leave it to the courts or compromised officials, our votes will continue to be stolen. The people must defend democracy where it matters most.”
Ameh warned that unless citizens confront the menace of judicial capture, Nigeria risks losing the essence of constitutional democracy.
“If we don’t fight back, Nigeria’s Constitution will mean nothing,” he concluded. “A compromised judiciary is worse than a rigged election — it robs citizens not just of their votes, but of their hope.”