Secondus warned that such judicial rascality might lead to a one-party system and undermine democracy in Nigeria if unchecked.
Reacting to the recent Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Lifuderegistering some political parties, including African Democratic Congress (ADC), Secondus expressed disappointment and deep concern over the development midway through the political cycle, after the parties had completed their primary elections, with their candidates ready for the campaign process.
The former PDP chairman said, in a statement in Abuja, that the decision was not just a setback for the affected parties but a dangerous assault on the foundational principles of multi-party democracy, citizen participation, and the rule of law.
Secondus accused the federal government of deliberately destroying opposition parties to achieve one-party rule.
“They are afraid of the election; they want a coronation,” he said.
Secondus stated, “To deregister the parties midway effectively disenfranchises voters, creates political instability, and narrows the democratic space, especially when a crisis has been deliberately injected into other parties.
“It’s judicial rascality to endorse political exclusion by dissolving parties midway through a cycle. This obvious disruption creates unnecessary vacuums and chills the competitive spirit necessary for a healthy democracy.
“A robust democracy requires a low barrier to entry for alternative ideas. By dismantling smaller or emerging parties mid-cycle, the system heavily favoursthe entrenched political establishment and locks out grassroots movements needed for a robust democracy.”
