Deregistration of parties: Respect court decisions, uphold rule of law — Sule Lamido

Former Governor of Jigawa State and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Alhaji Sule Lamido, in this interview with ADAMU AMADU urges Nigerians to respect judicial pronouncements and uphold the sanctity of democratic institutions, saying the country’s Constitution remains supreme over personal and political interests. Excerpts:

WHAT is your reaction to the recent deregistration of some political parties, including the ADC?

 Look, if we are a country that has willingly given itself a Constitution with clearly defined provisions, then we must abide by it. The Constitution created our laws, our courts and all democratic institutions. The judiciary is a creation of the Nigerian Constitution and is empowered to interpret the laws of the land. Therefore, when a constitutionally recognised institution makes a pronouncement on an issue within its jurisdiction, what else can we do other than respect it?

As Nigerians, this is our Constitution and our country. We cannot begin to give personal interpretations to matters that have already been settled by institutions established by law. Some people may not agree with such decisions, but we must understand that institutions are what build a nation.

The moment individuals begin to question the integrity of institutions simply because decisions do not favour their interests, we create problems for ourselves. We agreed to be one country and gave ourselves this Constitution. It created the judiciary, the legislature, political parties and other democratic structures. Once these institutions exercise powers vested in them, we must simply abide by their decisions.

How do you see the future of opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections?

Why are we putting so much emphasis on opposition? Who are these opposition figures you are talking about?

The people making noise today in ADC, APC or other parties are largely the same people who were in APC in 2014. Many of them left the PDP and joined the APC. They are the same political actors. The PDP has remained where it is. We remain PDP, others left us for APC. So when you talk about opposition, what exactly do you mean? It is like the right hand opposing the left hand when both belong to the same body.

Can this development be seen as an opportunity for the PDP to regain lost ground?

  The matters you are raising are legal and constitutional issues. You are asking me for a personal interpretation of what has already been decided through constitutional processes. What do you want me to say? That the court is wrong? That the parties are right? How can I do that? Journalism itself operates under the framework of the Nigerian Constitution. If you begin to cast doubt on the institutions established by the Constitution, then you are also undermining those institutions. We should be careful not to encourage speculation that weakens confidence in the rule of law.

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What message do you have for politicians whose parties have been affected by the court’s decision? Should they consider joining the PDP?

What I am saying is simple. A pronouncement has been made by the judiciary, which is an institution established by the law of this country. That is the position for now.

What affected individuals or parties choose to do next is entirely their decision. They can appeal if the law permits or explore other lawful options available to them.

I do not want to be dragged into emotional or politically motivated arguments over every action of government, political parties or institutions.

I believe in the rule of law.

I have personally gone through difficult political experiences in this country. I have been politically injured and I have had my own challenges with institutions. Yet I remain committed to respecting the law and due process because that is what sustains democracy.