Former President Goodluck Jonathan has voiced concern over what he termed “politically motivated” court judgments in Nigeria, cautioning that such rulings are undermining the country’s democratic process. Speaking at the 67th birthday celebration and book launch in honor of prominent lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN) in Abuja, Jonathan highlighted the destabilizing effects of questionable court decisions on Nigeria’s democracy.
He specifically referenced a recent court ruling that allowed a ward chairman to expel a national officer of a political party, calling it harmful to the political system. Jonathan urged the Supreme Court to revisit the judgment, noting its adverse impact on major political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Considering the current state of the country, especially the judgments in political cases, democracy in Nigeria is becoming unstable, like an inverted cone. It cannot stand stably; even the slightest disturbance will cause it to fall,” Jonathan remarked.
He emphasized that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the legal profession’s resistance to political influence. “For democracy to thrive, legal professionals must stand firm against political pressure,” he said, stressing the importance of impartiality in judicial rulings.
Jonathan also criticized the notion of a lower-ranking party official, such as a ward chairman, having the authority to expel a national leader. “It’s like saying a Head of Department in a university can expel the Vice Chancellor. This ruling has caused turmoil within political parties like the PDP and, at one point, the APC.”
He called on the Supreme Court to address the judgment, warning of its potential long-term damage to Nigeria’s democratic framework.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo echoed Jonathan’s concerns, commending Ozekhome for his dedication to advocating for political and social change with “conviction, courage, and integrity.” Obasanjo praised Ozekhome as a champion of justice and reform.
At the event, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who reviewed Ozekhome’s 50 books, lauded his intellectual contributions to Nigeria’s legal, political, and philosophical discourse, describing the works as a valuable addition to the nation’s intellectual legacy.