CSO asks CJN to resign honourably, apologise to Nigerians over political statement

The Coalition of Civil Society (CSO) groups for transparency and good governance is calling for the voluntary resignation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola over a statement made by him at an event in Port Harcourt, River State.

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The CJN was alleged to have said he was happy that governor Seyi Makinde was part of the G5.

The CSO insists this is a misrepresentation of the Judiciary noting that as the country is preparing for general elections, some people may want to take advantage of every opportunity to score very cheap points.

Nigeria is a democratic society and one that allows for free expression of speech. The constitution has made that a reality and as
Nigerians, citizens are free to speak on issues of national interest.

Despite this constitutional license to freely speak, there are occupiers of certain office who must be extremely careful about the utterances they make particularly as regards to ethnic religious affiliations.

Under the doctrine of separation of powers, the judicial branch administered Justice in the name of the states. The law is interpreted and applied by courts tribunal, judges and lawyers. These actors comprise the judicial system as a whole, to that end it performed its
function of administering Justice in an independent, impartial transparent, dependable, effective and timely manner.

It is the arm of government that is not said to join issues with other arms.

Recently, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola attended the inauguration of projects built by Nyesom Wike of Rivers state.

The CJN was reported to have said that he was happy that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state was among five governors of the people’s Democratic party loyal to Governor Wike.

These alleged statement by the CJN has been open to divergent interpretations and reactions.

The Coalition of Civil Society group for transparency and good governance is asking for the CJN’s voluntary resignation over the alleged statement. They claim the alert statement has posed the CJN as partisan and they feel it is not possible to have a successful democracy without a fair and impartial judiciary.

But the director of press and information in the Supreme Court, Festus Akande in a statement said the comment of the CJN was twisted
and misrepresented by the media.