Former President Goodluck Jonathan has attributed the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to controversial judicial rulings, which he claims are undermining the stability of Nigeria’s democracy. Specifically, Jonathan criticized a recent court ruling regarding the suspension and expulsion of a PDP National Chairman, suggesting that it has thrown the political system into disarray.
Speaking at an event in Abuja to commemorate the 67th birthday of legal luminary Mike Ozekhome (SAN), where other prominent figures like former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Peter Obi were present, Jonathan called on the Supreme Court to revisit its decision. He urged legal professionals to act with caution, considering the broader consequences their rulings might have on the nation's democratic fabric.
Jonathan expressed concern over the growing influence of politics on judicial rulings, describing how Nigeria’s legal system has been flooded with election-related cases. He lamented that in other countries, the political process rarely results in such litigation, and warned that the current situation could erode public trust in democracy.
One particular judgment that troubled Jonathan was the court’s ruling that a Ward Chairman could expel a National Chairman of a political party. He drew parallels to university hierarchies, noting that a Head of Department could not dismiss a Vice Chancellor, and by the same logic, a party's sub-unit should not have the power to discipline a national officer. According to Jonathan, this ruling has significantly destabilized both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at various points in time.
He emphasized that the judiciary’s role is to interpret the law in alignment with natural justice and common sense, and he expressed hope that the Supreme Court would reconsider its position to prevent further instability in Nigeria's political landscape.
When asked for his views on the political state of the nation, former President Olusegun Obasanjo declined to make extensive comments, hinting that there would be a more appropriate time to share his thoughts.
The event was a celebration of Ozekhome’s contributions to the legal profession, with several high-profile figures in attendance paying tribute to his achievements.
