Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has cautioned politicians against turning the recent court judgment deregistering some political parties into a political battle, insisting that the rule of law and constitutional order must take precedence over partisan interests.
Respect for Constitutional Institutions
Speaking amid growing reactions to the ruling, Lamido said the debate should not be about whether political actors are comfortable with the judgment but whether constitutional institutions are allowed to discharge their responsibilities without intimidation.
“How do I react? What do I tell you?” he asked. “We gave ourselves the Constitution. The Constitution created the courts and empowered them to interpret the laws of the land. If an institution established by the Constitution makes a pronouncement within its powers, then we must respect it.”
The PDP chieftain argued that the health of any democracy depends on the strength of its institutions rather than the preferences of politicians. According to him, Nigeria risks weakening its democratic foundations if citizens and political actors choose to support institutions only when decisions favour their interests.
“It is about time we understood that institutions build a nation. Once we begin to question the integrity of institutions because of personal interests, then we are creating a problem for the country,” he said.
Dismissal of Opposition Reshaping Claims
Lamido also dismissed suggestions that the ruling could fundamentally reshape the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election, maintaining that many of those raising concerns today are familiar faces in Nigeria’s political landscape.
In a veiled swipe at emerging political coalitions, he noted that several politicians now positioning themselves as opposition figures were previously members of the ruling establishment.
“Who are the opposition?” he queried. “Many of the people making the loudest noise today are the same people who moved from one party to another over the years. They are the same political actors.”
He insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had remained consistent despite waves of defections and political realignments, adding that the party was focused on rebuilding rather than capitalising on the difficulties facing others.
Legal Issue, Not Political Opportunity
When asked whether the judgment presented an opportunity for the PDP to attract politicians from affected parties, Lamido declined to make any political overtures, stressing that the matter remained a legal issue.
“What they do next is entirely their business,” he said. “They can appeal the judgment or pursue any lawful option available to them. That is for them to decide.”
The former governor further warned against what he described as a culture of reflex opposition, where every action of government institutions is viewed through a partisan lens.
“I don’t believe in opposing everything simply because it comes from government or an institution. We must learn to separate legal issues from political emotions,” he said.
Lessons from Personal Experience
Drawing from his own experience, Lamido recalled facing political setbacks and unfavourable institutional decisions in the past but said he accepted them because democracy can only thrive when citizens respect established processes.
“I have suffered politically. I have been hurt by institutions before. But when institutions act within the law, you accept it and move on. That is how democracy survives,” he added.
His intervention comes as political parties and stakeholders continue to debate the implications of the court ruling, with appeals and further legal challenges expected in the coming weeks.
