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How to Stop Judicial Coups Against Democracy in Nigeria

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2 years ago

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“It’s now so bad that courting the votes of the electorates is no longer an important component of the democratic process since politicians can get from the courts what they lost at the ballot box. That’s a dangerous state for any democracy to be in.”

How to Stop Judicial Coups Against Democracy in Nigeria
By Farooq A. Kperogi
Twitter: @farooqkperogi

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), one of Nigeria’s most prominent pro-democracy NGOs, invited me to make a virtual presentation from my base in Atlanta to a national seminar it organized last Thursday on “targeted judicial reforms and enhanced judicial integrity in post-election litigation.” Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it, but here are the thoughts I would have shared on the topic.

It’s oddly ironic that the judiciary, which should be the bulwark of democracy, has become such a dreadful terror to democracy that people are seeking to protect democracy from it. The courts have become the graveyards of electoral mandates. Judges have not only descended to being common purchasable judicial rogues, but they have also become juridical coup plotters.

The major preoccupation of pro-democracy activists is no longer how to keep the military from politics and governance but how to save democracy from the judiciary. In other words, in Nigeria, our problem is no longer fear of military coups but the cold reality of frighteningly escalating judicial coups.

A “judicial coup,” also called a juridical coup d’état, refers to a situation where judicial or legal processes are deployed to subvert the choice of the electorate or to unfairly change the power structure of an existing government.

In other words, a judicial coup occurs when the courts are used to achieve political ends that would not be possible through standard political processes. In a judicial coup, the courts make rulings or interpretations of the law that drastically alter the balance of power, often favoring a particular political group or leader.

This can include invalidating election results, removing elected officials from office, altering the constitution through interpretive tyranny, or other significant legal actions that have profound political implications.

Before 2023, judicial coups happened in trickles and were barely perceptible. The big, bad bugaboo used to be INEC. When the Supreme Court made Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi the governor of Rivers State on October 25, 2007, without winning a single vote, we thought it was merely a curious, one-off democratic anomaly that was nonetheless morally justified because Celestine Omehia—who won the actual votes cast on April 14, 2007, and sworn in as the governor on May 29—was illegally replaced as PDP’s candidate after Amaechi won the party’s primary election.

Our collective toleration of this strange supersession of normal democratic procedures to produce a governor conduced to more aberrations.

On January 14, 2020, the Supreme Court produced its first unofficial “Supreme Court governor” in Hope Uzodimma of Imo State when it used dazzlingly fraudulent judicial abracadabra to subvert the outcome of the governorship election in the state.

The Supreme Court’s judicial helicopter zoomed past PDP’s Emeka Ihedioha who won 273,404 votes to emerge as the winner of the election; flew past Action Alliance’s Uche Nwosu who came second with 190,364 votes; zipped past APGA’s Ifeanyi Ararume who came third with 114,676 votes; and glided gently into the yard of fourth-place finisher Uzodimma of APC with only 96,458 votes.

It then declared that the fourth shall be the first, enthroned Uzodimma as the governor, and dethroned Ihedioha whom Imo voters and INEC had chosen as the legitimate governor.

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I recall being too numb by the scandal of the judgment to even experience any sensation of righteous indignation. Then came the Ahmed Lawan judgment, and I was jolted to my very bones. A man who didn’t run for an election, who admitted he didn’t run for an election, and who gave up trying to steal an election that he himself admitted he didn’t run for, much less win, was declared the “winner” of the election.

Because I closely followed the case and shaped public discourse on it, I was so incensed by the judgment that, in a viral February 6 social media post, I called Supreme Court justices “a rotten gaggle of useless, purchasable judicial bandits,” which prompted an unexampled official response from the Supreme Court, which dripped wet with undiluted bile.

However, many judges, including some conscientious Supreme Court judges, agreed with me. For example, in his farewell speech last month, Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad re-echoed my sentiments about the Supreme Court and cited former Court of Appeal justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie who, in her own farewell speech, approvingly quoted my description of Supreme Court justices as “a rotten gaggle of useless, purchasable judicial bandits.”

The judicial banditry I talked about has assumed a different, worrying dimension. It has now become full-on judicial sabotage against the soul of democracy itself. In unprecedented judicial roguery, the Appeal Court has invalidated the election of all 16 PDP lawmakers in the Plateau State House of Assembly and handed unearned victories to APC. It also nullified the victory of PDP’s Governor Caleb Mutfwang and asked that APC’s Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, who lost in the actual election, be declared the winner.

The case of the judicial theft of Kano State’s governorship election from NNPP to APC is too well-known to warrant restating. In all these cases, the judiciary invoked matters that were extraneous to the actual vote (called “technicalities”) to decide whom to crown as winners of the elections.

It’s now so bad that courting the votes of the electorates is no longer an important component of the democratic process since politicians can get from the courts what they lost at the ballot box. That’s a dangerous state for any democracy to be in.

The judiciary is becoming an unacceptably treacherous but overpampered monster that is exercising powers that are beyond the bounds of reason. It needs to be stopped through a holistic reworking of the electoral act.

The first thing that needs to be spelled out more clearly and more forcefully in a revised electoral act is that pre-election matters are not litigable after the winner of an election has been announced. All pre-election petitions should be litigated before the conduct of elections. Post-election litigations should be limited to the conduct of the elections. Since this happens once in four years, it should not be too much of a burden for the judiciary.

The second change that needs to be enshrined in a revised electoral act is a provision that divests courts of the powers to declare winners and losers of electoral contests. I am the first to admit that this is problematic because it limits the mechanism for redress available to politicians in cases of INEC-engineered electoral robberies.

But in situations where courts can glibly overrule the will of the electorate by invoking procedural inanities that are extrinsic to elections to declare winners and losers, I would rather deal with INEC alone.

The conduct of elections can be improved in the future to the point that manipulations can be significantly reduced. But I can’t say the same for a rapacious, unjust, and mercenary judiciary such as we have today.

In any case, in all functional democracies, it is voters, not the courts, who elect and remove people from positions of political power. If the courts find sufficient evidence of irregularities in the conduct of elections, they can order a rerun. But they should never be invested with the power to declare winners and losers.

The last suggestion I have for the revision of the electoral act is to constitutionalize the imperative to finalize the adjudication of all election petitions before the inauguration of elected officials into their offices. There are two reasons for this.

First, it is disruptive to put elected officials through the hassles of post-election litigation while they are already officially in office. Governance is often put on hold during the pendency of litigations, and lots of state resources are expended to bribe judges, hire lawyers, and bring witnesses. That’s unfair to Nigerians.

Second, at least at the presidential level, once someone has been declared the president and is inaugurated, they automatically assume enormous symbolic power that is almost impossible to reverse. They also have access to enormous resources that they can deploy to influence the course of justice.

Whatever we do, we must curb the excesses of our out-of-control judiciary before it finally murders what remains of our democracy.

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Opinion

Taming Insecurity in Kano : As DSP Barau Visits Troops, Launches Grand Empowerment in Kano North

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1 day ago

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January 26, 2026

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Taming Insecurity in Kano : As DSP Barau Visits Troops, Launches Grand Empowerment in Kano North

By Abba Anwar

It takes a patriotic and humane political leader, to visit joint troops in their camps, that are placed to crush bandits on one hand. And to start implementing a round – year grand empowerment programme for his immediate constituency, on the other hand.

To boost the morale of our joint security troops, including soldiers, police and civil defence operatives, that were deployed to four various camps in Gwarzo, Shanono and Tsanyawa local government areas of Kano North Senatorial District, the Deputy Senate President Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, paid them special visits to their various camps.

The troops were sent on the swift response by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, over the quick request by DSP Barau, concerning recent bandits’ incursion in the aforementioned local government areas, within the parameters of the DSP’s Senatorial constituency. The bandits started attacking some border communities from the neighboring states.

In all the four camps he visited, he interacted with the troops directly, assuring them of President Tinubu’s unwavering support to successfully crush marauding criminals. Ensuring that, he would also do everything humanly possible to see to their victorious accomplishment of their national assignment. To gallantly crush the bandits.

At Lakwaya camp, in Gwarzo local government, he narrated how he reported the incidents of bandits’ incursion, immediately after they stroke, to the President. He disclosed that, “When that happened (bandits’ incursion), we talked to Mr President. For the reason that, it was something that had to do with the security of land, we didn’t come out and say what exactly we were doing to get rid of those bunch of criminals.”

To reveal how President Tinubu was concerned with the situation, as he does to all other parts of the country, DSP said, “Our dear President, acted swiftly by giving directives to all heads of security agencies in the country to quickly respond. To rescue the situation. The result is the presence of these security personnel. Whom I encouraged to make sure they crush those bandits. I know our troops are capable of doing that.”

At some points during the visits, he addressed the affected communities in the presence of the troops. Which also serves as improving security – civilians relations. One of the best security strategies even in modern day security system. As he called on the communities to always support and cooperate with the security agencies with necessary intelligence and prayers.

To keep the momentum of the troops’ patriotism with gallant engagement and committed determination, he said, “Since you arrived in this area, you have been doing all you can to restore peace and tranquillity to our people. I’m here to thank you for putting your lives on the line to ensure our people live in peace and tranquillity. On behalf of the people of this area, the people of Kano North Senatorial District, and Kano State at large, we thank you for your efforts to safeguard the lives of our people.”

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Because of the dire need in him, to see to peaceful communities, that started feeling unsafe few weeks back, he insisted to the troops, across the four different locations that, “Please go after these people who don’t want peace in our land, the bandits who are terrorising our people. Chase them wherever they are and flush them out of this area and indeed the entire area. We are hopeful you will be able to do so!

The visits were absolutely commendable and were described as patriotism at its peak. To the extent that, he, the Distinguished Senator inspected a parade by the troops, led by the JTF Commander in Gwarzo, Lt Abdullahi Sadiq. That he did in the company of the Garrison Commander of the 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Kano, Lieutenant Colonel I. Ekoh and other top brass of the security agencies.

Understanding the application of force with the locals’ support, he equally believes that, an honest empowerment initiative would make local recruitment impossible, as preventive measure, against expansion of bandits’ influence. Hence the coming on board of Grand Empowerment programme across his constituency, Kano North Senatorial District.

The day he slated, yesterday Sunday, for troops visits, two of his closest Aides, Shitu Madaki Kunchi
Special Assistant Media and Publicity and Prof. Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, Chief of Staff, kick-started the Grand Empowerment programme in Dawakin Tofa local government.

Grant of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) was given to each of the selected 100 people. As the remaining local governments from the zone, will get the same grants for the same number of potential beneficiaries. The exercise continues for 12 months. A round-year engagement of beneficiaries.

Across the 13 local governments from his constituency, Kano North, a total number of 1,300 people will benefit from the programme for each month of the year. At N100,000 only per individual beneficiary. Meaning, 18,000 people are set to benefit from this arrangement, for Kano North alone.

Shitu reiterated to all, during the flag-off event, that, the same arrangement would be on board for Kano Central zone and Kano South zone respectively. The total number of beneficiaries per zone is to be determined by the number of local governments in each Senatorial District.

As rightly pointed out by Shitu, part of the DSP’s strategy in finding a some lasting solutions to insecurity experiences, is to properly and productively engage citizens of different age categories, in the empowerment programme. Most of the beneficiaries, who were able to meet Shitu at the occasion, gave him strong worded promise, to convey to the Deputy Senate President, that, they would give all the needed support and cooperation for the security and development of their areas, Kano state and the nation at large.

As part of the package for the grand empowerment the Distinguished Senator sets aside 130 vehicles to be distributed to transport associations to boost transport system in his constituency. As he set aside1,000
motorcycles for riders, teachers and students. As part of the programme.

Not only that, he included in the effort, SME tools for our youth and women. With this distribution a total number of 1,300 sewing machines, 1,300 grinding machines, 1,300 deep‑freezers and 1,300 noodle‑making machines with flour, plus 1,300 bicycles for school kids, are provided, as events for this category is by the doorstep. Another platform for security booster in his constituency.

Making the minds of our youth, so much engaging in both business and sports, so as to divert their, near-idle minds, or restless minds at best, makes part of the shopping list for the Senator’s workable interventions in weakening any process or would – be-process of attracting such minds to crimes and violence.

It is under this, he included, as part of the community engagement, provision of jerseys and footballs to football teams across his constituency. Before coming down to Kano Central and Kano South Senatorial Zones. Under this engagement, jerseys and footballs for 1,950 teams (150 teams per LGA), are already on ground for distribution.

Anwar writes from Kano
Monday, 26th January, 2026

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Opinion

Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf and Hon. Murtala Sule Garo: A Well‑Matched Pair of Walking Shoes

Published

4 days ago

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January 23, 2026

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By Kabir Mamman Sani

Very soon, Kano’s political landscape will realign, when the State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf finally join the All Progressive Congress (APC).
When this finally happened, the governor will need a “perfect pair” to keep his stride steady, particularly when the current Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam decided not to defect along with him.
Governor Abba Kabir, now in his 63rd year and over two years into office, has already set a pace of urgency, restoration, and a “New Kano” vision.
For the State to sustain that momentum, pairing him with a deputy who can match his stride — like Hon. Murtala Sule Garo will certainly justify the political realignment.
In leadership, a governor and his deputy are like a well‑crafted pair of walking shoes: one provides direction, the other offers support, and together they traverse any terrain. The left shoe (the governor) charts the course, while the right shoe (the deputy) absorbs shock, maintains balance, and keeps the journey comfortable. Their synergy translates into stability, inclusive governance, and relentless progress for Kano.

For so many reasons, Hon. Murtala Sule Garo fits the right shoe. He is from the Kano North Senatorial Zone where the deputy governor position was zoned.
He has grassroots credibility. As a former Commissioner for Local Government, he has built a reputation for accessibility and for managing people and resources at the community level.
Hon. Murtala, is a bridge‑builder. He can link the NNPP’s existing structures with the APC’s broader network, easing the anticipated party switch and creating a cohesive environment for policy execution.

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As a grassroots mobilizer, particularly in a state known for political vibrancy, Murtala Sule Garo will play a stabilizer role. His ability to rally wards, councils, and youth groups and turn political apathy into active participation, boosting voter turnout and civic engagement, is assured.

What can this pair deliver?
Stability from the ground up – a olid foundation of local support prevents “small tremors from becoming structural crises,” as analyst Dr. Elena Vance notes, hence with Hon. Murtala Sule Garo providing a buffer to the Governor, political stability will ensue.
The pair is capable of further accelerating development in the State – With the ongoing projects in water supply, agricultural subsidies, and digital transformation, the governor’s ambitious blueprint gains a reliable executor.
Moreover, Murtala’s inclusive approach to governance will further open doors to traditional rulers, youth groups, and private investors fostering collective ownership of Kano’s progress. Hon. Murtala Sule Garo will lock in that trajectory, ensuring the administration’s plans endure and citizens feel the comfort of steady, balanced leadership.

Governor Yusuf’s achievements in urban renewal, educational reform, healthcare expansion, and infrastructure upgrades—have already earned him a reputation as one of the state’s most effective leaders. Pairing him with Murtala Sule Garo will be the best way forward for the State.

Just as a good pair of walking shoes carries a traveler forward with confidence, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Deputy Murtala Sule Garo can lead Kano on a successful, step‑by‑step journey—comfortable, supportive, and balanced for every stakeholder.

Kabir Mamman Sani, a political analyst write from Minjibir

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Opinion

Christopher Musa: Experience Meets Strategist-Sageer Ahmad

Published

5 days ago

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January 22, 2026

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Sageer Ahmad

It didn’t come to us as a surprise when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the appointment of General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.) as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence.

Indeed the president’s decision signals a deliberate effort to align experience with strategy at a time when national security remains a critical concern for every well-meaning Nigerian. No doubt, Nigeria and Nigerians have had it very rough in recent years and the deserving testimonies the nation received on the choice of CG Musa is adequate enough to tell the world that CG Musa is equal to the task.

A veteran officer with decades of distinguished service to the well-being of Nigeria, his appointment as a minister brings to the Defence Ministry a deep understanding of Nigeria’s security environment and a calculative and systematic approach to a sustainable solution to the lingering security issues. Without being sentimental, his emergence as Defence Minister reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen policy direction, improve coordination among security agencies and reinforce public confidence in the country’s defence institutions.

As a professional shaped by years of frontline command and strategic leadership, Nigerians now believe the country is widely regarded within military and policy circles, as a country at the verge of overcoming its travails. His records have shown that over the course of his career, he played key roles in counter-insurgency and internal security operations, particularly in areas affected by terrorism, banditry and communal violence. His experience cuts across field operations and high-level defence planning, giving him a balanced grasp of both tactical realities and policy demands, for a better country.

Before his appointment, Musa served at the highest level of Nigeria’s military leadership, where he oversaw joint operations involving the Army, Navy and Air Force. His tenure was marked by a strong emphasis on inter-service cooperation, intelligence-driven operations and improved welfare for personnel.

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His appointment came at a critical time that the nation is in dire need of peace and Nigerians have no doubt that CG Musa will steady but surely give Nigerians the needed peace. A straightforward personality with a complete sense of responsibility and commitment to national security, he is an exact example of a responsible and responsive security administrator.

Barely weeks after assuming office, Minister CG Musa began by setting a clear tone for the country’s security direction and recording early ministerial milestones anchored on coordination, professionalism and decisive action against insecurity.

Since his appointment he has moved swiftly to redefine the Ministry of Defence’s leadership posture, placing emphasis on results-driven security management rather than rhetoric. At several high-level engagements, he has publicly committed to delivering tangible improvements in national security, assuring Nigerians of the government’s resolve to reclaim communities affected by insurgency, banditry and violent crime.

However, one of CG Musa’s notable early achievements is his push for stronger inter-agency collaboration. He has consistently underscored the need for seamless cooperation among the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and internal security institutions, arguing that modern security threats require unified and intelligence-led responses. This stance has reinforced the ongoing joint operations and improved coordination among security stakeholders. Moreover, the citizens have started seeing the good impact of the calculative and decisive move of the minister.

CG Musa has further distinguished his tenure by reasserting professionalism and ethical leadership within the military by charging senior officers to uphold loyalty to the Constitution, integrity and discipline in command as well as professional conduct.

It is on record that troop welfare has also featured prominently on his agenda as he publicly emphasized that the morale and wellbeing of personnel are critical to mission success, he also pledged improved attention to logistics, equipment, healthcare and family support for service members.

As a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy who attended several advanced military and leadership courses within and outside Nigeria, his career also includes participation in regional and multinational security initiatives, reinforcing Nigeria’s role in collective efforts to address cross-border threats in the sub-region as well as to install the nation’s dignity in the global focus.

As Defence Minister, Musa is expected to focus on defence policy coordination, military reforms, procurement oversight and the strengthening of civil-military relations. His background places him in a unique position to bridge the gap between policy formulation and operational realities, ensuring that decisions taken at the centre translate into tangible security outcomes across the country.

However, with insecurity still posing serious challenges nationwide, expectations are high and that is why we believe in the simple fact that Christopher Musa’s appointment represents a strategic recalibration that will chase the bandits, insurgents and other vices out of the country for a healthier, better and robust Nigeria of all good days.

To the bandits and the insurgents, get ready to repent or face the wrath of CG Musa, the Nigerian savior.

Sagir Ahmed writes from Kano and can be reach via email: ahmadtsagir@gmail.com

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