Democracy Must Be Won At The Ballot, Not In The Courtroom—APGA National Chairman Charges Political Parties

Written By Nduka Anyanwu 

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, has called on political parties across Nigeria to redirect their energy toward strengthening internal democratic processes, building credible leadership structures, and presenting trustworthy alternatives to the electorate rather than relying on judicial manipulations and perceived institutional partisanship.

Speaking on the state of Nigeria’s democratic process, Barrister Ezeokenwa emphasized that democracy thrives best when political parties are built on transparency, fairness, and genuine service to the people—not on endless courtroom battles or over dependence on external influences capable of undermining the will of the voters.

According to him, the integrity of any democratic system begins from within the political parties themselves. He noted that parties must ensure transparent primaries, internal discipline, merit-based leadership emergence, and issue-based campaigns that give citizens real choices at the polls.

He stressed that when political parties fail to strengthen their internal mechanisms, they create room for post-election disputes, unnecessary litigations, and growing public distrust in the electoral process. This, he said, weakens democratic institutions and shifts the focus away from governance and national development.

Barrister Ezeokenwa further cautioned against what he described as excessive judicial interference in electoral outcomes, noting that while the judiciary remains a critical pillar of democracy, elections should primarily be decided by the people through their votes and not by prolonged legal contests that often create political instability.

He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain firmly committed to neutrality, professionalism, and transparency in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities. According to him, public confidence in elections can only be sustained when electoral institutions are seen as impartial and resistant to political influence.

“The strength of democracy lies in the confidence of the people that their votes truly count. Political parties must focus on earning that trust by presenting credible candidates and practical solutions to national challenges, while institutions like INEC must uphold fairness without fear or favour,” he stated.

The APGA Chairman reaffirmed the party’s commitment to democratic values, grassroots engagement, and responsible opposition built on constructive governance alternatives rather than political desperation.

He maintained that Nigeria’s democracy would become stronger when elections are contested on ideas, competence, and vision—not on technicalities, judicial controversies, or institutional bias.

Barrister Ezeokenwa’s remarks come at a time when conversations around electoral reforms, judicial independence, and the credibility of democratic institutions continue to dominate national discourse, further underscoring the urgent need for reforms that protect the sanctity of the ballot and restore public trust in governance.