Skip to main content Skip to footer 
Former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed deep concern over recent judicial rulings in Nigeria, particularly those related to political cases, which he described as troubling and destabilizing for the country’s democracy. Speaking at the 67th birthday celebration of renowned legal scholar Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, in Abuja on Thursday, Jonathan criticized the judiciary for judgments he believes could undermine the political system.
One ruling that particularly disturbed Jonathan was the Supreme Court’s decision allowing a political party’s ward chairman to suspend the party’s national chairman. Jonathan compared this to turning democracy upside down, stating, “When a cone is turned upside down, it cannot stand.” He warned that such rulings could lead to instability in the political landscape, as seen in the crises currently affecting major parties like the PDP and the APC.
Jonathan argued that allowing lower-level officials to discipline higher-ranking leaders is a violation of natural justice, likening it to a department head expelling a vice-chancellor. He called on the Supreme Court to review its judgment, emphasizing that the decision has caused significant instability.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who co-chaired the event with Jonathan, did not directly address the judiciary issue but praised Prof. Ozekhome for his courage and integrity, describing him as an advocate for positive change.
Jonathan’s remarks underscored his concern about the impact of judicial decisions on Nigeria’s democratic institutions, while Obasanjo hinted that more discussions on the matter would come at a later time.
