Ex-President Jonathan Says Recent Court Orders On Political Parties Turned Democracy Upside Down
Jonathan criticised a judgment that allows a ward chairman to suspend the national chairman of a political party, calling it a troubling absurdity that exists only in Nigeria.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that court judgments on political cases and senior lawyers in Nigeria have turned the country’s democracy upside down.
Speaking to a gathering of legal professionals in Abuja on Thursday during a celebration for senior lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome’s 67th birthday, the former President expressed his worry that Nigeria is uniquely grappling with a miscarriage of justice within its democratic framework compared to other countries in Africa and beyond.
He highlighted a specific Supreme Court ruling that he believed undermined democracy and gradually eroded political parties, urging the court to reconsider its decision.
Jonathan criticised a judgment that allows a ward chairman to suspend the national chairman of a political party, calling it a troubling absurdity that exists only in Nigeria.
“Given that we are all gathered here, especially those of us involved in politics, I feel compelled to speak about the troubling trend of judgments in political cases,” he stated.
He added, “Our democracy seems to be precariously balanced, much like an upside-down cone. It may appear stable, but it can easily topple with the slightest disturbance.”
He reflected on the comments of senior lawyers, including Olisa Agbakoba, regarding certain Supreme Court decisions, expressing sadness over the current state of affairs.
The former President said, “For democracy to endure, both lawyers and judges must resist political influence; that is crucial for stabilising our political process.”
Jonathan acknowledged the influx of litigation during election periods, likening it to a festive time for lawyers, but emphasized that most countries avoid such turmoil.
He pointed out a specific ruling that has been detrimental to political stability and urged the courts to reassess it.
“We can’t have a situation where a ward chairman can expel a national chairman. It defies logic and undermines our system.
“Such rulings create instability, affecting everyone, including those who might currently feel victorious,” he said, noting that his own party, the PDP, is facing turmoil due to the ruling.
He criticised the prevalence of court cases related to pre-election and election matters in Nigeria, which he believes signal a troubling trend for democracy.
He reiterated that no subunit should have the power to discipline higher authorities, emphasising that the constitution of the PDP clearly states that only national officers have such authority.
He therefore appealed to the Supreme Court to revise the contentious ruling to preserve the integrity of political party structures.
