The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has sharply criticised the recent Supreme Court judgment nullifying the November 2025 national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that the ruling could deepen public distrust in the judiciary and reshape the country’s opposition politics.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the rights group described the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a troubling development with implications beyond internal party disputes, arguing that it risks reinforcing perceptions of external influence in high-stakes political litigation.
The apex court had, in a split decision, upheld earlier judgments voiding the Ibadan convention on the grounds that it was conducted in defiance of valid court orders. The ruling was delivered by Justice Stephen Adah and supported by a panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba.
“More Than a Legal Question”
HURIWA, however, insisted that the judgment should not be viewed purely through a legal lens, arguing that its broader political consequences raise serious governance concerns.
According to the group, the verdict appears to align with what it described as “powerful political interests seeking to weaken opposition structures,” a claim it said reflects growing anxiety over the stability of multiparty democracy in Nigeria.
“This decision goes beyond adjudication of internal party disputes. It raises concerns about whether judicial outcomes are increasingly being influenced by political calculations,” the group said.
Allegations of Internal Sabotage
HURIWA also raised concerns about alleged internal betrayals within the PDP, suggesting that some elected officials of the party may have contributed—directly or indirectly—to its current instability.
While the group stopped short of providing evidence, it warned that such conduct, if true, would represent a serious erosion of political accountability.
A Party Caught in Legal and Political Crossfire
The nullified convention had produced a factional leadership led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), following months of internal disputes that also involved former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and other party stakeholders.
The Supreme Court maintained that the dispute transcended internal party affairs because it involved disobedience to subsisting court orders, thereby justifying judicial intervention.
Democracy Under Pressure?
HURIWA warned that the ruling could further destabilise the PDP at a critical time, potentially weakening the opposition’s ability to function as a viable counterweight ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group argued that prolonged internal litigation and factional disputes risk narrowing Nigeria’s democratic space if not properly resolved within constitutional and party frameworks.
Call for Institutional Safeguards
The rights organisation urged the judiciary to remain vigilant in protecting its independence, stressing that public confidence in the courts is essential to democratic stability.
It also called on political actors to prioritise internal reforms over prolonged legal battles, warning that unresolved factional conflicts could erode party structures nationwide.
“Democracy depends not only on elections but on trust in institutions. That trust must not be allowed to erode,” HURIWA said.
The group further urged civil society organisations, the media, and international observers to closely monitor developments in Nigeria’s political and judicial environment, citing concerns over increasing tensions between law and politics.