NDF Urges Judiciary to Resist Political Influence Amid Rivers State Crisis
Allegations of Judicial Manipulation Surface
The National Democratic Front (NDF) has made an urgent appeal to Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to address what it describes as a “severe erosion of integrity” in Nigeria’s judiciary. The group alleges that former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has been compromising judicial rulings for personal and political advantage.
In a statement released on October 31, 2024, NDF spokesperson Engr. Ikenna Ellis Ezenekwe expressed concern over a series of “conflicting and compromised” rulings emerging from the judiciary, which the group claims serve Wike’s political agenda at the cost of Rivers State’s stability. One controversial ruling cited by the NDF is a recent order to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) suspending monthly allocations to Rivers State, which the NDF argues endangers essential services.
Impact on Public Services and Rural Communities
The NDF highlighted that the suspension of funds jeopardizes critical resources in health, education, and public safety. "It’s scandalous that court orders, seemingly bought and paid for, could halt the funds essential to basic services in Rivers State,” the NDF asserted. They warned that the impact would be particularly severe for rural communities, market traders, and low-income families who rely heavily on state-supported services.
Call for Judicial Independence
Emphasizing the need for impartiality in the judiciary, the NDF urged Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun to investigate recent judicial actions linked to the Rivers State crisis. The group cautioned that failure to act against perceived political influence could ignite instability in the already fragile Niger Delta region. They linked Wike’s influence to a recent rise in property damage and local violence in Rivers State, underscoring the risk of further unrest if judicial credibility remains compromised.
NDF’s Plea for Judicial Accountability
The NDF concluded its statement with a fervent call for judicial accountability and the preservation of judicial independence. “The people of Rivers deserve a judiciary that serves justice, not political whims,” the statement asserted. Urging the CJN to resist political interference, the group warned that neglecting this issue could bring renewed violence and economic turmoil to Rivers State.
“Madam Chief Judge, the soul of the Nigerian judiciary is at stake. Do not allow political marauders to reduce the last bastion of the common man’s hope to a mere pawn on a chessboard of ambition,” the NDF stated. They called on Justice Kekere-Ekun to stand with the people and protect Nigeria’s democracy by preserving the judiciary’s role as an impartial arbiter in the nation’s governance.
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