The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned comments attributed to African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo, which suggested that President Bola Tinubu could “rule Nigeria with the military” following a Supreme Court ruling on the Rivers State emergency rule.

Describing the remarks as “reckless and misleading,” APC emphasized that Supreme Court judgments are constitutional interpretations, not military decrees.

Mogaji Seye Oladejo, Lagos APC spokesman, stressed that the court’s decision did not suspend democracy in Rivers State but merely applied the law as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution.

Oladejo said:

“A Supreme Court judgment is the highest expression of constitutional authority in a democracy. It is neither a military fiat nor an executive directive. Conflating a judicial verdict with military rule either shows a misunderstanding of democracy or an attempt to mislead the public for partisan purposes.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has neither sought nor exercised extra-constitutional powers. His democratic credentials are well established—he opposed military dictatorship, suffered repression, and contributed to the restoration of civil rule.”

He further criticized the opposition for attempting to delegitimize the judiciary when court decisions do not align with their expectations, calling such tactics “irresponsible and dangerous” to Nigeria’s democracy.

Oladejo reaffirmed that the military remains under civilian control and that no action by President Tinubu indicates otherwise. He urged all Nigerians, especially democrats and patriots, to reject what the party described as an “anti-democratic narrative” from the opposition.

“Supreme Court verdicts are instruments of justice, not instruments of tyranny. They strengthen democracy; they do not destroy it,” Oladejo concluded.