Protesters, under the aegis of Concerned Northern Nigeria Stakeholders, staged a protest on Monday at the entrance of the Federal High Courtin Wuse, Abuja, chanting solidarity songs and waving placards with inscriptions such as “No Opposition, No Election,” “Tinubu, Let Our Democracy Breathe,” and “AGF Must Be Neutral.”

The protesters are warning President Bola Tinubu against interferences in the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The leader of the group, Banki Sharrif, raised alarm over what he described as growing threats to judicial independence and democratic institutions, accusing the Federal Government of undermining due process.

He said, “We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately cease all forms of interference, overt or covert, with the judiciary. Courts must never be reduced to instruments of political engineering. The moment justice is manipulated, the nation itself is placed on trial.

“A government that seeks to weaken opposition betrays a lack of confidence in its own legitimacy. Democracy thrives on competition. Suppressing it is not strength; it is fear.

“Elections without credible opposition are nothing more than staged exercises. Democracy demands fairness, openness, and equal opportunity for all political actors.”

The demonstrators warned that democracy cannot function under “intimidation, coercion, or calculated manipulation,” insisting that civic space and opposition remain central to a functioning republic.

Monday’s protest comes amid heightened political tension over a suit backed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, seeking the deregistration of several political parties.

In court filings before the Federal High Court, the AGF supported a case instituted by some former lawmakers asking the court to compel INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four others.

Other parties listed in the suit include the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party, and the Zenith Labour Party.

•Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has confirmed that so far, 130 Nigerians have registered for voluntary evacuation flights from South Africa amid rising tensions linked to anti-foreigner protests in the country.

The minister added that another wave of demonstrations is expected between May 4 and 8, 2026, prompting further security and diplomatic coordination between both countries.

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a situation report via her X handle , said that the evacuation arrangement is part of broader diplomatic and security measures being coordinated with Nigerian missions in South Africa.

She emphasised that the

The minister explained that the evacuation plan follows directives from President Bola Tinubu, who ordered heightened monitoring of the situation and stronger protection for Nigerians abroad.

The Nigerian Consulate in collaboration with the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) has offered a free repatriation flight to Nigerians willing to return home permanently amid the ongoing worsening attacks on foreigners.

The President of NICASA, Frank Onyekwelu, disclosed that the situation had forced many Nigerians to shut their shops and businesses.

According to him, there is currently no structured support system in place for affected Nigerians, but the consulate’s intervention is already providing an option for those who wish to leave.

” The process is ongoing as we have recorded many Nigerians signalling interest to return home, ” said Onyekwelu .

Violent anti-foreigner protests erupted recently in cities such as Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, East London, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, resulting in harassment, looting, property damage, and injuries.

The protests, according to reports, are being driven by community groups, anti-immigration organisations, and social movements such as Operation Dudula, the March and March Movement, and similar local initiatives, often under the banner of tackling illegal immigration and unemployment.