Lagos People’s Democratic Party, PDP Elders on Monday expressed sadness over conflicting judgements coming from courts, noting compromised judiciary is dangerous for the polity.
The elders resolved that something urgent must be done to stop this malady.
They pointed out that pronouncements from courts must be infallible, saying the situation where people began to question the judgement of a particular court showed that there was crisis in the polity.
They reiterated the conflicting judgements coming from a few of the judges made the belief of many Nigerians in the judiciary to be shaken.
The statement was signed by a former national Deputy Chairman of PDP, Chief Olabode George, former women leader of the party, Chief Mrs Onikepo Oshodi, former Deputy Governor of Lagus , Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor Akerele and 30 other leaders in the State.
The statement, which was read by George in his Ikoyi office on behalf of others was titled, ‘When Nigerians’ no Longer Trust Third Estate of the Realm, Anarchy Looms, said, “These are not the best of times for the Judiciary in Nigeria.”
The statement partly read, “Today, what is oozing from the third arm of government in the world’s most populous black nation is offensive to millions of Nigerians. And when the Judiciary is compromised, one way or the other, in a democratic system, then democracy is gone.
“Many Nigerians believe that members of the Executive and Legislature are already living in a different planet. So, they see the Judiciary as the last ‘Estate’ standing in the ‘Realm’.
“In Nigeria, there are hundreds of Judges upholding the sanctity of the judiciary. They not only give judgements but they deliver Justice. Nigerians still believe in them.
“But, because of conflicting and contradictory judgements coming from a few, the belief of many Nigerians in the judiciary is understandably shaken. And this is worrisome because if the people don’t believe in the Third Arm of Government anymore, anarchy looms.
“Today, many Nigerians point to some corrupt judges who escape unscathed to enjoy their ill-gotten wealth because the system is weak or compromised to do proper investigation.
“We now have a situation in which courageous judges who refuse to do the biddings of ‘powers that be’ are accused of being corrupt and forced to resign. What an irony!
“In many political cases, millions of people believe, and rightly so, that some judges deliver Judgements, NOT Justice.”
The elders then wondered, “So, the questions being asked today are, among others: ‘What exactly is the problem of the judiciary? Where did we get it wrong? Why is it difficult for the judiciary to assert its control over politicians and political parties? Why are technicalities being used to affirm electoral heists and in the process, undermine the will of the people and silence them? What is the meaning of a ‘typographical error’ when a judgement had already been delivered? Is it, according to some Nigerians, that the ‘real’ judgement was pushed aside and another read which has now led to a ‘typographical error’?”
The elders further said, “Sadly, some politicians now use the court as a shield and the highest political bidders are recklessly granted favourable orders.
“Obviously, the unholy dalliances between some politicians and judges is dangerous to our democracy.
“Millions of people will come out on the day of election, queue, collect ballot papers, cast their votes for their preferred candidates, results will be announced and everybody will jubilate only for three, five or seven judges to upturn the popular will of the people. What an affront?
“Pitiably, we now have a situation in which politicians who did not participate in party primaries are affirmed by the judiciary as the candidates because of ‘technicalities’.
“That is why Nigerians strongly believe that some members of the Executive suppress and intimidate Judges, just to get favourable judgements.
“Electoral verdict should be the sole responsibility of the electorate but it has now been turned upside down. It is now “government of the judiciary, by the judiciary, for the judiciary”.
“In our opinion, it is wrong to remove the power of the electorate to elect political leaders and for the Judiciary to tell us who the winners are.
“This is not good for the polity. This is not good for Nigeria. This is not good for our electoral system. A compromised judiciary is dangerous. Something urgent must be done to stop this malady.”
The elders noted that “Any pronouncement from our courts must be infallible. But, when people begin to question the judgement of a particular court, it shows that there is crisis in the polity. And this is totally unacceptable in Nigeria of 2023.”
