…Cautions Against Court Rulings that Destabilize Nigeria
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged the Nigerian judiciary to resist being swayed by the manipulations of politicians.
Jonathan expressed deep concern over the increasing political instability in the country, attributing part of the blame to questionable court rulings that, in his words, have been “turning the cone of justice upside down.”
Speaking at the 67th birthday celebration and book launch of renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor Mike Ozekhome, Jonathan warned judges to be vigilant and impartial, stating that some recent court decisions have caused national disarray.
He specifically referenced a ruling that allowed a ward chairman to expel a national chairman of a political party, a move he described as destabilizing to the political system.
“When a court empowers a ward chairman to remove a national chairman of a party, it creates chaos,” Jonathan said, stressing that the Supreme Court should revisit such decisions to protect the integrity of the political process.
The former president co-chaired the event alongside former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Both leaders expressed admiration for Ozekhome’s contributions to human rights and the legal profession.
Jonathan commended the legal luminary, calling him “an extraordinary individual with unique talents and knowledge that have made a positive impact on society.”
Obasanjo, in his remarks, hinted at having much to say on national issues but suggested that the right time to fully express his thoughts had yet to come.
“There’s a lot to talk about, but timing is key,” he said, while also acknowledging Ozekhome as “a passionate advocate for social change.”
The event was further highlighted by remarks from former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who urged Ozekhome to continue his work toward building a better society.
Obi praised Ozekhome’s commitment to human rights and justice, describing him as a critical voice for progress.
In a review of Ozekhome’s 50 newly launched books, Wole Olanipekun, a former chairman of the Body of Benchers (BOB), lauded the author as a “political and legal scholar, human rights activist, and political commentator whose views shape conversations across diverse subjects.”
The event served as a platform for reflections on Nigeria’s legal and political systems, with a resounding call for the judiciary to safeguard the nation’s democracy by ensuring fairness and impartiality in its rulings.
