Olabode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has raised concerns about the potential for anarchy if Nigerians lose trust in the judiciary.
His remarks come in the wake of the controversy surrounding the Court of Appeal’s verdict on the Kano State governorship election.
The Court of Appeal nullified the election of Governor Abba Yusuf and declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nasir Gawuna, as the winner.
However, confusion ensued when the Certified True Copy of the judgment indicated that the appellate court had affirmed Yusuf’s election.
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The court later attributed the discrepancy to a clerical error.
During a press conference in Lagos on Monday, Olabode George expressed worry about the diminishing trust in the judiciary.
He highlighted the dangers of unholy alliances between politicians and judges, describing them as a threat to democracy.
George emphasized the importance of people believing in the judiciary as a critical institution in the democratic process.
“The best the judiciary must do in political cases is to adjudicate, and where there are discrepancies, order a rerun without giving victory to party A or B,” George stated.
He criticized the practice of the judiciary overturning election results and determining winners, arguing that it undermines the electorate’s power to choose political leaders.
George concluded by stating that a compromised judiciary is dangerous for Nigeria and its electoral system.
His comments reflect broader concerns about the credibility and trustworthiness of the judiciary in political matters, emphasizing the need for transparent and fair legal processes to uphold democratic principles.
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