ABUJA — Opposition party Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) will not seek judicial redress after the 2027 general elections, prominent political analyst and Director-General of the Heritage Centre, Dr. Katch Ononuju, has stated.
Speaking during an interview on SYMFONI, Ononuju declared that reliance on post-election tribunals has lost credibility due to perceived state capture of the judicial system. According to him, the outcome of the next presidential contest will be determined and defended directly at the polling stations across the nation.
“We in the NDC will not go to court after the elections… the judiciary has been captured. The election would be decided at the polls. We shall vote and protect our votes, the Kano style. If they refuse to count our votes, maybe they would count our bodies.”
Bypassing the Tribunals
Ononuju’s remarks highlight deep skepticism within opposition ranks regarding the election petition process. By explicitly ruling out legal challenges, he signaled a strategic pivot away from courtroom battles and toward physical vigilance at ballot boxes.
The emphasis on a “Kano-style” approach references historical election dynamics in Kano State, where voters and party agents tightly surrounded polling booths and collation centers to physically monitor voting, counting, and election management.
Mounting Political Tension Ahead of 2027
The warning—that authorities might have to “count bodies” if votes are denied—reflects the heightened stakes surrounding ongoing coalition talks and political realignments aimed at confronting the ruling party in 2027.
With opposition alliances seeking to mobilize grassroots structures nationwide, Ononuju’s declaration sets an aggressive tone for voter protection mechanisms ahead of the upcoming election cycle.
