The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern over comments credited to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, wherein he was reported to have dabbled into the internal affairs of the PDP.
A statement on Saturday by Debo Ologunagba, PDP National Publicity Secretary said while the PDP has utmost respect for the Institution of the Judiciary and Judicial Officers, “our Party rejects any action or utterance by any Judicial Officer, let alone the CJN, that undermines the integrity of the Judiciary”.
According to the statement, “by delving into the internal affairs of the PDP at a public event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday, November 24, 2022 where he was reported to have made reference to the political activities of some PDP governors, which comment is viewed to be encouraging division in our Party, the PDP posits that the CJN’s action is unacceptable and inconsistent with his status as the head of the Judicial arm of government.
“Our Party is worried that such partisan comment by the CJN is in violation of his Oath of Office as the head of the country’s Judicial arm which is expected to be impartial and non-partisan.
“Irrespective of the circumstance or situation, the CJN is expected to be circumspect at all times and avoid partisan actions and utterances that are likely to erode the institutional integrity of the Judiciary and bring it to disrepute especially as the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections.
“In a Federal Republic such as Nigeria, with a Constitutional Separation of Powers, the Judiciary is entrusted with the responsibility of interpretation of the laws and as such should be seen to be neutral at all times and endeavour to interpret and review the laws in the context of the case and controversy of the parties before it” the statement reads in part.
