Ex-APC spokesman accuses Presidency of weaponising judiciary against opposition, warns of looming political crisis ahead of 2027
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on the United States and other international partners to closely monitor Nigeria’s judiciary, alleging that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is using court processes to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Frank warned that attempts to frustrate opposition leaders through judicial proceedings could erode public confidence in the courts and heighten political tension in the country.
In a statement on Thursday, he linked his concerns to a recent court judgment which, according to him, could affect the political ambition of former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
He alleged that the development was part of a broader effort to undermine the ADC and restrict Atiku’s participation in the 2027 presidential contest.
Frank said the judiciary must not become a battleground for settling political scores, warning that its independence was critical to the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The recent court judgment has raised serious concerns about what appears to be a desperate act by the Presidency—an act reminiscent of a dying man clutching at straws,” he said.
He urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to take steps to protect the integrity and independence of the judiciary, warning that any perception of political interference could damage the credibility of the justice system.
“The judiciary must not be perceived as an extension of the APC-led government. Such a perception will erode public confidence in our democratic institutions and could drive Nigeria towards anarchy,” he warned.
The former APC spokesman also alleged that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was being used as an intermediary to influence judicial actors against opposition politicians.
He claimed that meetings were held after Atiku’s recent political engagement in Sokoto, allegedly to frustrate his presidential ambition.
“We were aware that immediately after the Sokoto outing, there were meetings aimed at thwarting Atiku’s ambition. Despite all efforts to prevent the Sokoto event from holding, it went ahead and has remained the talk of the town. Now, they appear to have resorted to this approach,” Frank alleged.
He expressed hope that the Court of Appeal would handle the matter differently and ensure that justice was not influenced by political considerations.
Frank particularly appealed to the United States Government to call the Tinubu administration to order, while urging other international partners to pay attention to developments in Nigeria.
He said the alleged use of judicial processes against opposition politicians could create a dangerous atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, the controversy should not be treated as a personal dispute involving Atiku but as an issue affecting the rights of all political parties and the survival of multiparty democracy.
Frank further alleged that the administration was seeking to weaken opposition participation in northern Nigeria by targeting Atiku’s political ambition.
“If President Tinubu is genuinely popular, let him demonstrate it through free, fair and credible elections, conducted through the established mechanisms of INEC and not the judiciary,” he said.
He added that any government official found culpable in efforts to undermine opposition participation would be held accountable.
Frank, however, urged opposition parties and their supporters not to be discouraged by the development.
He called on Nigerian youths, civil society organisations, elder statesmen and former political leaders to unite in defending judicial independence and democratic institutions.
He also cautioned political groups against celebrating the legal challenges facing their opponents, noting that actions taken against one political leader could establish a precedent affecting others.
“No political camp should celebrate, because what happens to Atiku today could happen to another political leader tomorrow,” he said.
Frank, who is also the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, urged political actors to avoid actions that could push the country into instability.
He maintained that protecting judicial independence, respecting political rights and ensuring credible elections were essential to preventing a crisis ahead of 2027.