Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has accused the ruling party of attempting to weaken opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections through what he described as judicial actions targeting political competitors.
Secondus made the allegation while reacting to a recent Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, a decision that has generated widespread political and legal debate across the country.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the former PDP chairman questioned both the timing and implications of the ruling, arguing that the affected parties had already completed their primary elections and submitted candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of upcoming electoral contests. According to him, the development raises serious concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the ability of opposition parties to compete freely.
Secondus alleged that the actions against the affected parties reflected growing anxiety within the political establishment about the outcome of future elections.
“They are afraid of the election; they want a coronation,” he stated.
The former PDP leader argued that democratic systems thrive when multiple political platforms are allowed to compete fairly and offer voters diverse choices. He warned that efforts capable of limiting political participation could undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and weaken the foundations of representative governance.
Speaking further, Secondus described the court ruling as more than a challenge for the affected parties, insisting that it carries broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic future. According to him, removing political parties from the electoral landscape after they have completed internal processes risks disenfranchising supporters and narrowing the country’s political space.
“It is 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,” he said.
He maintained that democracy depends on open political competition and warned that restricting alternative platforms could create instability within the political system.
Secondus also expressed fears that the deregistration controversy could accelerate a gradual movement toward one-party dominance if alternative political platforms are systematically weakened.
He argued that smaller and emerging parties often serve as vehicles for new ideas, grassroots mobilisation and political innovation. According to him, reducing the number of viable political platforms would strengthen established political actors while making it more difficult for new voices to participate in governance.
“A robust democracy requires a low barrier to entry for alternative ideas. By dismantling smaller or emerging parties mid-cycle, the system heavily favours the entrenched political establishment and locks out grassroots movements needed for a robust democracy,” he stated.
The former PDP chairman called on political stakeholders, civil society organisations and democratic institutions to remain vigilant in protecting Nigeria’s multi-party system.
He stressed the need for electoral competition that is transparent, inclusive and fair, arguing that voters should retain the right to choose from a broad range of political alternatives. Secondus further urged authorities to strengthen confidence in democratic processes by ensuring that all political actors operate on a level playing field ahead of the 2027 elections.
The controversy surrounding the opposition party deregistration dispute has continued to attract reactions from political leaders, legal experts and civil society groups. While critics argue that the move could restrict democratic participation and weaken opposition politics, supporters of the judgment insist that political parties must meet constitutional and electoral requirements to remain registered.
With appeals and legal challenges already underway, the battle over the status of the affected parties is expected to remain a major issue in Nigeria’s political landscape as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum. For now, the debate has reignited broader questions about political competition, democratic inclusion and the future direction of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
