Atedo Peterside warns of judicial bias, sees APC–ADC showdown as 2027 battle lines shift

As Supreme Court rulings reshape Nigeria’s opposition and economic pressures intensify, economist Atedo Peterside warns that weakening democratic competition could trigger instability ahead of the 2027 elections.

Few voices command as much respect on governance, institutions and economic direction as Atedo Peterside. At a moment when Nigeria’s political ground is shifting following consequential court rulings on opposition parties, his latest intervention offers a stark assessment of both the country’s democratic health and economic trajectory ahead of 2027.

Speaking during a television interview on Arise TV Prime Time in Lagos ,Peterside raised concerns over the credibility of the judiciary after recent decisions involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). According to him, the pattern of judicial proceedings suggests unequal access, with politically exposed individuals enjoying faster hearings than ordinary Nigerians.

“Only some Nigerians get prompt hearings,” he said, noting that cases involving average citizens can take years, even decades, to conclude. Such disparities, he warned, risk eroding public trust in the judiciary, one of the core pillars of democracy.

The rulings come at a time of major realignment within Nigeria’s opposition. Peterside argued that the ADC has effectively emerged as the dominant opposition platform, bolstered by the migration of key political figures from the 2023 presidential race. In contrast, he said the PDP has lost much of its influence.

“The PDP is no longer what it used to be,” he said, adding that its political capital has largely “transmuted” into the ADC.

Based on current trends, Peterside projected that the 2027 presidential contest could narrow into a two-horse race between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ADC. However, he stressed that this scenario depends on whether opposition parties are allowed to participate freely.

“If Nigeria goes into an election with only one dominant party, all bets are off in terms of stability,” he warned, cautioning against any drift toward a one-party system.

He also argued that sustained legal and political pressure on the ADC may be counterproductive. According to him, Nigerians tend to sympathize with perceived underdogs, and the heightened focus on the party has inadvertently boosted its visibility and appeal.

“By going after them, you make people believe there is something about them,” he said, describing the attention as a strategic misstep that could strengthen, rather than weaken, the opposition.

Beyond politics, Peterside highlighted mounting economic risks tied to global geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East. While higher oil prices might typically benefit an oil-producing country like Nigeria, he said existing forward sales agreements could limit immediate gains.

Instead, he pointed to rising domestic costs, especially sharp increases in fuel and aviation fuel prices, which are placing additional strain on businesses and consumers.

“In the short term, I don’t see significant benefits for Nigeria,” he said, adding that companies are already grappling with higher operating expenses.

He further warned of a deepening fiscal imbalance, noting that government revenues remain insufficient to support current spending levels. With capital projects underfunded and deficits widening, he said Nigeria faces difficult choices: increase revenue, borrow more, or cut expenditure.

According to him, the economic strain is already translating into rising poverty and widening inequality across regions. While conditions in major cities like Lagos and Abuja may mask the severity, he said many parts of the country are experiencing acute hardship.

In his closing remarks, Peterside urged political leaders to demonstrate fiscal discipline and empathy by cutting waste and leading by example.

“Let those at the top tighten their belts first,” he said, stressing that visible sacrifice from leadership is essential to restoring public confidence.