Jonathan Urges Judiciary To Resist Political Influence, Warns Against Unstable Democracy

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has voiced concerns about the state of Nigeria’s judiciary, cautioning against political influence in legal judgments.

Speaking at the 67th birthday celebration of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mike Ozekhome in Abuja, Jonathan expressed his dismay at recent court rulings, particularly in election matters, describing them as “turning the cone upside down,” potentially destabilizing democracy in the country.

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Jonathan emphasized that for democracy to thrive, legal practitioners at both the Bar and the Bench must remain free from political interference.

“For democracy to endure, those in the legal profession must not be swayed by political influence. This is the only way to stabilize the political process.”

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He highlighted the rising number of election-related lawsuits, comparing Nigeria to other nations where such cases are less prevalent, and warned that this trend does not bode well for the country’s democratic future.

Reflecting on a controversial judgment that allows a Ward Chairman to expel a National Chairman of a political party, Jonathan appealed to the Supreme Court to revisit the ruling, stressing its potential to create long-term instability in Nigeria’s political landscape.