- Lagos APC Slams Kenneth Okonkwo Over ‘Military Rule’ Comment on Tinubu
- Lagos APC said the apex court did not suspend democracy in Rivers State but merely exercised its constitutional duty of interpreting the law
- Oladejo further warned that persistent attacks on the judiciary and lawful authority risk eroding public confidence in democratic institutions
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned remarks attributed to African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu could now “rule Nigeria with the military” following a Supreme Court verdict relating to the emergency rule in Rivers State.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the ruling party described the comment as reckless, misleading and intellectually dishonest, insisting that Supreme Court judgments are products of constitutional democracy, not military decrees.
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In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC said the apex court did not suspend democracy in Rivers State but merely exercised its constitutional duty of interpreting the law.
Oladejo noted that while court decisions may sometimes disappoint political actors, they remain binding on all parties in a constitutional democracy.
“A Supreme Court judgment is the highest expression of constitutional authority in a democracy. It is neither a military fiat nor an executive directive,” Oladejo said.
“To deliberately conflate a judicial verdict with military rule is either a fundamental misunderstanding of democracy or a willful attempt to mislead the public for partisan ends.”
Defending President Tinubu, the APC spokesman said the president has neither sought nor exercised extra-constitutional powers, describing claims to the contrary as baseless and insulting.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s democratic credentials are well established. He was a frontline opponent of military dictatorship, a victim of repression and a contributor to the restoration of civil rule in Nigeria,” Oladejo said.
“The suggestion that such a leader would now govern by military proxy is as absurd as it is offensive.”
He accused the opposition of attempting to delegitimise the judiciary whenever court rulings do not align with their political expectations, warning that such conduct poses a serious threat to democratic stability.
“What we are witnessing is a familiar opposition reflex—crying dictatorship at every unfavourable verdict,” he said, adding that such rhetoric is irresponsible and dangerous.
Oladejo further warned that persistent attacks on the judiciary and lawful authority risk eroding public confidence in democratic institutions.
He stressed that Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, the separation of powers and civilian oversight of the military.
“The military remains under civilian control as prescribed by the Constitution, and there has been no action, directive or policy under President Tinubu that suggests otherwise,” he said.
The Lagos APC called on Nigerians, democrats and patriots to reject what it described as a dangerous narrative being pushed by the opposition.
“Supreme Court verdicts are instruments of justice, not instruments of tyranny. They strengthen democracy; they do not destroy it,” the statement concluded.
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