BY ANTHONY OCHELA, ABUJA
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has raised alarm over the deepening political crisis in Nigeria, pinning the blame on court rulings which he described as “turning the cone of justice upside down”.
Speaking at the 67th birthday celebration and 50 book presentation of renowned human rights lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Jonathan expressed deep concerns about the state of the judiciary and its impact on the country’s political landscape.
Addressing the gathering, which he co-chaired and a former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as chairman, Jonathan noted that recent court judgments in political matters have thrown the country into disarray, particularly referencing a controversial ruling that empowered a ward chairman to expel a national chairman of a political party.
“The way things are going, especially with the judgments coming from the courts, it feels like a cone that has been flipped upside down. Sooner or later, it will tip over”, Jonathan warned.
He urged members of the judiciary to resist being swayed by political machinations, emphasising that some judgments could further destabilise Nigeria’s political structure.
“How can a ward chairman expel the national chairman of a party? I’m not a lawyer, but I know that this flies in the face of natural justice”, Jonathan remarked, alluding to the legal chaos that has gripped political parties in the wake of the ruling.
He called on the Supreme Court to revisit the decision, stressing that such actions threaten the stability of the nation’s political system.
“When I observe how things are running in other countries, I wonder how can sub-unit have the authority to discipline the head. This situation is against natural justice and has thrown political parties into crisis”, he said.
Jonathan’s remarks come at a time of heightened political tension in the country, with the judiciary increasingly at the centre of many disputes as a result of controversial judgement.
He made a passionate plea for the judiciary to reconsider its role in shaping the nation’s political future, warning that continued missteps could lead to irreversible damage.
Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the event, also hinted that he has a lot to say about the unfolding situation in the country but suggested that the time is not yet right to speak out fully.
“There is much to be said, but it is not yet time”, Obasanjo cryptically stated, leaving many speculating on what his eventual remarks could entail.
Obasanjo in his remarks described Ozekhome as an extraordinary man and person who advocated thorough and social change with conviction.
Jonathan who congratulated the legal luminary,Ozekhome, said he is an extraordinary person with special talents and knowledge to impact.
Former chairman, Body Of Bencher ,BOB, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN who reviewed the 50 books authored by Prof Mike Ozekhome said Ozekhome is political, legal scholar, human rights activist and political commentator whose views are expressed on diverse subjects.
In his review of the books which he titled “Review Of The Corpus”, Olanipekun, ran through the various titles of Ozekhome’s 50 books.
He grouped the books under four themes vis: ‘Rights and expectations of persons qua citizens under the constitution and the law; the duties imposed on and expected of the government at all tiers, including those in positions of leadership, across board; private wrongs which stand unaddressed, and public wrongs which continue unabated”.
The book presenters were Prince Arthur Eze, Peter Obi, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, former governor of Plateau state, Jonah Jang and other eminent personalities.
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party , LP, Peter Obi urged Ozekhome and other Nigerians not to relent in efforts to build a better society.
Obi said until Nigerians jointly continue to push for what is right the country cannot be better than the current situation.
