Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress NDC, has said that in a true democracy, it is the voters who choose their leaders, not the courts.
Obi said this while reacting to a Federal High Court ruling that cancelled the leadership of the African Democratic Congress ADC and all the decisions made by the party.
In a statement on Thursday, Obi said that even though he respects the court and is not fighting the ruling, the situation raises concerns about the country’s democracy.
”One mark of democracy is that at all times, it is voters and not courts that choose leaders,” Obi said.
“I trust in the judiciary. I have deep respect for the courts. I appeal that we protect our democracy by not blocking the free and fair choice of candidates.”
He added that as military rule spreads in West Africa, Nigeria must work harder to protect democracy. He said this means allowing opposition parties to exist and thrive, not destroying them.
Obi also promised that if he is elected President, he will make sure opposition parties are stable and that candidates are not pushed out of elections unfairly.
