Paul Ibe says the court ruling affecting the NDC should serve as a wake-up call for opposition leaders to reunite ahead of the 2027 general election.
Paul Ibe, media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has urged opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, to return to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the Federal High Court judgment that set aside the earlier order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
In a post shared on X on Friday, Ibe described the Lokoja court’s decision as a “wake-up call” for the opposition, arguing that the ruling underscored the need for greater political unity ahead of the 2027 general election. He maintained that it was “not too late” for opposition leaders to harmonize their efforts and work together.
According to Ibe, the latest legal development demonstrates the challenges facing opposition parties and reinforces the importance of building a united political platform. He alleged that the current political environment leaves little room for a fragmented opposition and warned that democracy could be weakened if opposition parties remain divided.
His remarks came shortly after the Federal High Court in Lokoja vacated its earlier judgment directing INEC to register the NDC, creating uncertainty over the party’s legal status and prompting the party to announce plans to challenge the ruling on appeal.
As of Friday, neither Peter Obi nor Rabiu Kwankwaso had publicly responded to Ibe’s appeal, while the NDC had indicated that it would pursue legal remedies against the court’s decision.