Peter Obi criticizes Kogi court judgment on NDC, calls it a setback for democracy

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, stated that a recent court ruling in Lokoja is an unnecessary setback for Nigeria's democracy, weakening its democratic institutions. Obi shared this message on social media after learning of the judgment while in Imo State. He expressed concern that every Nigerian committed to the country's progress should be worried about the implications for democracy, noting that some political actors are undermining democratic institutions. Obi, former Anambra State governor, highlighted that both the legislature and the judiciary are increasingly experiencing institutional decline, emphasizing that democracy cannot thrive without independent and credible institutions. He maintained that his stance is based on principle, not political interest, and recalled condemning a similar situation involving the African Democratic Congress. Obi clarified that his concern is not about who becomes president but about ensuring Nigeria's institutions function effectively. He urged Nigerians to defend democratic institutions, stating that their survival is crucial for the nation's survival. This statement followed a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja that set aside a previous judgment directing INEC to register the NDC, citing that the earlier judgment affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the logo and was not included in the original suit. The court ordered all parties to revert to their pos