Former President Jonathan Criticizes Judiciary for Destabilizing Nigeria’s Democratic Process
By Wisdom Tidr
October 18, 2024
Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed deep concern over recent judicial rulings, warning that certain decisions could destabilize the country’s democratic process. Speaking at the 67th birthday celebration of Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) in Abuja on Thursday, Jonathan specifically condemned a Supreme Court ruling that allowed a ward chairman of a political party to suspend the National Chairman of the party. He argued that such rulings have exacerbated the internal crisis within the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and had previously contributed to instability within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Concerns Over Judicial Decisions
Jonathan voiced alarm at the judiciary's recent approach to political disputes, cautioning that some court decisions have far-reaching consequences for the country's political parties and democracy as a whole.
“The recent pronouncements from our courts are disturbing,” Jonathan stated. “The ruling allowing a ward chairman to suspend a National Chairman sets a dangerous precedent, one that has weakened political structures, particularly within the PDP.”
Supreme Court Ruling and Party Instability
Jonathan identified the Supreme Court's ruling as a primary cause of the ongoing turmoil within the PDP. He likened the decision to an attempt to balance a cone upside down—an inherently unstable arrangement destined to collapse.
“When a cone is turned upside down, it cannot stand because even the slightest disturbance will cause it to fall,” Jonathan explained. “This ruling has had a similarly destabilizing effect. The PDP is in crisis today because of that judgement, and the APC, too, faced instability due to a comparable situation in the past.”
The former president argued that empowering lower-level party officials, such as ward chairmen, to remove their superiors is fundamentally flawed and disrupts the natural order of authority within political organizations.
Call for Judicial Review
Jonathan urged the judiciary to revisit its decision, describing the ruling as an anomaly in political and organizational governance. He maintained that no functional system allows subordinates to remove their superiors from office.
“In no other setting can a lower-ranking officer expel a higher-ranking one,” Jonathan said. “You cannot convince me that a head of department can sack the vice-chancellor. This judgement has caused unnecessary instability. In other democracies, it is unheard of for a sub-unit to discipline its principal.”
Jonathan called on the Supreme Court to review the ruling, stressing that it has created an imbalance within the country's political framework, threatening Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Event Highlights
Jonathan’s remarks came during a notable moment at the event. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who had been named Chairman of the occasion, invited Jonathan to join him on the podium. In a symbolic and unexpected gesture, Obasanjo designated Jonathan as co-chairman of the event, underscoring the significance of Jonathan's statements.
Both leaders used the platform to reflect on the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the vital role the judiciary plays in maintaining political stability.
In his closing remarks, Jonathan expressed hope for a judicial system that strengthens, rather than undermines, the country’s democratic process and political institutions. He reiterated the importance of rulings that preserve stability and reinforce organizational integrity, rather than disrupt the democratic framework
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