The media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has called for a court ruling on the participation of some opposition party leaders in President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign.
Ibe said members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party were preparing to challenge the matter in court.
He made the statement in a post on Saturday while reacting to the inclusion of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.
According to him, the issue should not be left to political arguments or the personal opinions of influential politicians.
“I have gathered that concerned members of the PDP and Accord are poised to approach the courts to seek judicial determination of the legality and constitutionality of chieftains of their respective parties being drafted into the ruling APC’s presidential campaign council, without the requisite authorisation of their parties.”
He added: “That is the way to go.”
Ibe argued that the courts should determine whether party leaders can support the campaign of another political party without the approval of their own party.
He said there was a difference between the right of politicians to associate freely and their obligation to obey the constitution of the political parties they voluntarily joined.
“No politician, however powerful, should enjoy immunity from obligations that remain binding on ordinary party members,” he said.
He also said the courts should define the difference between political cooperation, approved electoral alliances and anti-party activities.
maintained that the PDP should explain the constitutional basis for Wike’s role in Tinubu’s campaign, while Accord and APGA should also clarify the appointments of Adeleke and Soludo respectively.
“These questions demand answers because party constitutions cannot remain binding on ordinary members while becoming optional for politically influential individuals.”
He concluded: “Ultimately, this controversy extends beyond Wike, Adeleke and Soludo. It concerns the credibility of Nigeria’s political party system and the relationship between political organisations and citizens whose support they seek.”
The controversy follows the unveiling of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election, which included several politicians from opposition parties. Their appointments have sparked debate over paIberty loyalty, constitutional provisions and what amounts to anti-party activity under Nigeria’s political system.