The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has launched a blistering attack on the Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of five political parties, warning that the ruling could undermine Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and fuel fresh concerns about judicial independence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the civil rights group described the judgment as a dangerous development capable of reshaping the nation’s political landscape at a critical moment when political parties are already mobilising for the next electoral cycle.
HURIWA expressed particular concern over reports that the judgment was delivered despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order said to have directed a stay of proceedings pending the determination of an appeal.
According to the group, if the reports are accurate, the development raises serious questions about judicial discipline, adherence to constitutional procedures and respect for the hierarchy of courts.
“The implications of this judgment go far beyond the affected political parties,” HURIWA said. “What is at stake is the integrity of constitutional democracy, the credibility of the judiciary and the future of Nigeria’s multiparty system.”
The rights organisation argued that the decision targeting the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) could have profound political consequences, especially as political alignments and coalition talks gather momentum ahead of 2027.
HURIWA questioned what it described as the apparent urgency surrounding the case, asking why such a far-reaching judgment was delivered while an appeal was reportedly pending before a superior court.
“Why the rush? Why proceed to a judgment capable of altering the political equation in the country when appellate processes were yet to be exhausted?” the group asked.
The association further warned that judgments perceived as weakening opposition political platforms could deepen public suspicion and intensify concerns about the neutrality of judicial interventions in politically sensitive matters.
While stressing that courts must remain independent, HURIWA said judicial authority derives its strength from public confidence, which can only be sustained when court orders are respected at every level of the judicial system.
The group recalled previous appellate decisions that cautioned against judicial overreach in political disputes and emphasized the importance of consistency in the application of legal principles.
It also cited previous judicial pronouncements affirming the legal status of some of the affected parties, arguing that any departure from settled positions should occur only through proper appellate review.
Describing the ruling as a “legal and democratic minefield,” HURIWA urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the judgment and determine whether established judicial procedures were followed.
“The judiciary remains the last line of defence for constitutional democracy. Any perception that court processes are being manipulated for political outcomes poses a grave danger to national stability,” the statement said.
The organisation also called on the Court of Appeal to act swiftly on pending appeals connected to the matter, insisting that uncertainty surrounding the legal status of political parties could generate avoidable tension in the build-up to the 2027 elections.
As political parties and legal experts continue to dissect the implications of the judgment, HURIWA warned that the survival of Nigeria’s democratic order depends not only on free elections but also on strict fidelity to the rule of law, judicial hierarchy and constitutional safeguards.
“The issue is no longer just about political parties,” the group said. “It is about protecting democracy itself.”
