Democracy thrives on the principles of pluralism, open debate, and the existence of a viable opposition. The interplay between the judiciary and political actors has historically influenced the health and resilience of our democratic institutions. The suppression of opposition, whether through legal manipulation or political intimidation, poses a grave risk to democratic stability, as evidenced during the presidency of Shehu Shagari (1979–1983). We are now back to that era as evidenced by contradicting judicial pronouncements and the actions of politicians aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party, against the opposition. If lessons from the Shehu Shagari era were to be drawn, the implication of current happenings in the political space, appears to be a clear and present danger to our democracy.
During President Shehu Shagari’s administration, Nigeria witnessed several instances of opposition suppression. The ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) was accused of using state resources and institutions to undermine rival parties, notably the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP). Allegations included manipulation of electoral processes, biased rulings by the judiciary, and the use of security agencies to intimidate political opponents.
Elections during this era were marred by accusations of vote rigging and judicial endorsement of controversial results. The judiciary, in some cases, upheld questionable electoral victories, fueling public distrust in both the courts and the democratic process. Such actions created a climate of political instability and contributed to the eventual military coup in December 1983, which ended the Second Republic.
Similar patterns persist in Nigeria’s current political landscape. Politicians continue to leverage legal technicalities to disqualify opposition candidates or to delay court cases that challenge their authority. Judicial decisions in high-profile election petitions and deliberately created intraparty squabbles often raise questions about impartiality, with accusations of political interference not uncommon.
For instance, opposition leaders have faced charges widely perceived as politically motivated, such as corruption or treason. This has seen important opposition figures both in office and out of it, decamping to the ruling party and keeping their offices against extant laws.
The suppression of opposition undermines the fundamental tenets of democracy by stifling dissent, eroding public trust in institutions, and limiting voter choice. When the judiciary and politicians collaborate, wittingly or unwittingly, to silence alternative voices, accountability suffers and democratic norms weaken.
As seen during the Shagari era, these practices can precipitate political crises, disenfranchise citizens, and pave the way for authoritarian interventions, such as military coups. In the long term, continuous suppression risks entrenching a culture of impunity and reducing the effectiveness of checks and balances that are essential for democratic governance.
The lessons from the Shehu Shagari era underscore the dangers of judicial and political suppression of the opposition. To safeguard democracy, it is imperative for institutions to uphold independence and fairness, and for political leaders to respect the rights of dissenting voices. Only through genuine pluralism and institutional integrity can we avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and build a resilient democratic future.
As a prodemocracy activist, President Bola Tinubu should do the needful to save our democracy from collapse. He has the power and Nigerians hope he will use it.
