*Proposes coalition of opposition parties
By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has warned that if the
rot in the nation’s judiciary persists without severe consequence for the perpetrators, the country’s political parties and the democracy are unlikely to survive.
Atiku has similarly said that it is extremely difficult to dislodge a governing party, however unpopular it may be and however fed up the people may be with it.
The former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Proples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 general election said these in a paper entitled, “Party Politics and Political Integrity: The Role of Political Parties and Opposition in Democracy”, presented at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria held at the Continental Hotel Abuja.
Atiku, who was represented by Prof. Bayo Olukoshi at the National Conference, added however that the only way the party in power can be dislodged is through coalition-building among the opposition parties.
He noted with regrets that the nation’s judiciary has, within a period of less than 20 years, moved from being the beacon of hope of democratic sustenance to becoming, arguably, the biggest threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku made case for a Judicial reform to curb judicial recklessness.
According to the former Vice President, “In a period of less than 20 years, the Nigerian judiciary has moved from being the beacon of democratic sustenance to becoming, arguably, the biggest threat to Nigeria’s democracy. That must change.
“The same judiciary that affirmed the primacy of parties in choosing their candidates and leaders now sanction and indeed promote destruction of parties by a few, and in some cases, a single individual with a personal agenda. “The judiciary also seems to have replaced the voters in choosing our leaders.
“The involvement of the judiciary in electoral disputes was intended to affirm the choice of voters.
“But the judiciary, even at the highest levels, twists and contorts to find technicalities to deny voters their choice rather than affirming the voters’ choices.
“I know enough of history to understand that when democracy dies, the judiciary and its leadership do not necessarily survive intact.
“The judiciary survived the implosion or death of our Firsts Republic democracy mainly due to the presence of strong independent justices. It wasn’t for want of trying.
“However, as the corruption of every facet of our society deepened, the judiciary soon followed.
“And it is, perhaps, the most dangerous because there is nowhere else for the aggrieved to turn to.
“No one is there to check the excesses of the other branches of government.
If the rot in our judiciary persists without severe consequence for the perpetrators, our parties and our democracy are unlikely to survive”, he declared.
He maintained, stoutly, that it is extremely difficult to dislodge a governing party, however unpopular it may be and however fed up the people may be with it.
His words, “Coalition-building and outright mergers are critical for building the capacity of the opposition to achieve that goal.
“Our own history and examples from other countries prove that.
“Let me conclude by saying that it will be difficult for those currently in power to accept these reform proposals but no one or party stays in power indefinitely. “Besides, reforms should not be focused on just today but on the future, as well”, he said.
