Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief Olabode George, has strongly criticized the current trend where judges annul elections and declare winners, diverging from the choices made by the electorate. Expressing concern over the reported inconsistencies in the certified true copy of the Court of Appeal judgment on the Kano State governorship election, George voiced his worry that the public’s trust in the judiciary is eroding.
Speaking on behalf of the Lagos PDP Elders Council at a press conference in Lagos, George emphasized that the situation in Kano could potentially lead to anarchy in the country. Accompanying him at the press conference were notable figures, including former deputy governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, and Mrs. Onikepo Oshodi, among other PDP leaders.
George highlighted the alarming consequences of a judiciary losing public confidence, stating, “This system is worrisome because if the people don’t believe in the third arm of government anymore, anarchy looms.” He expressed concern over the apparent pressure on judges who resist conforming to the desires of those in power, noting that such judges are often accused of corruption and compelled to resign.
The PDP chieftain condemned the perceived unholy alliances between politicians and judges, deeming them perilous to the democratic process. He criticized instances where a handful of judges overturn the popular will of the people after millions have participated in elections, suggesting that, in political cases, the judiciary should order a rerun rather than arbitrarily declaring victory for a particular party.
George underscored the importance of upholding the power of the electorate to choose their political leaders, emphasizing that a compromised judiciary poses a significant threat to the democratic system. While acknowledging the existence of upright judges, he lamented that their integrity is overshadowed by the actions of corrupt counterparts.
In conclusion, George asserted that the prevailing state of the judiciary in Nigeria is offensive to millions of Nigerians and urged for a restoration of public trust. He acknowledged the numerous judges who uphold the sanctity of the judiciary, emphasizing that conflicting judgments from a few individuals have undermined the belief of many Nigerians in the overall integrity of the judicial system.