Judicial Politics: Protest Demanding CJN Ariwoola’s Resignation Rocks Abuja

Following his alleged delving into the political foray in which he openly declared support for the Governor Nyesom Wike-led G-5 governors, some protesters on Tuesday took to the streets of Abuja demanding the immediate resignation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tajudeen Ariwoola as the head of the nation’s judiciary.

CJN Ariwoola while speaking at a banquet in his honour by Governor Nysome Wike of Rivers State in Port Harcourt last week Thursday, expressed delight that his home state Governor, Seyi Makinde, was in Wike’s camp of G5.

Reacting to the CJN Ariwoola political position, the protesters on the platform of ‘Coalition of Civil Societies of Nigeria (CCSN)’ noted that the political posture of CJN Ariwoola portends serious and great danger to the smooth dispensation of justice in case of electoral dispute before, during and after the 2023 general elections.

The Coalition specifically described as “worrisome, unpardonable and sinister” for the Chief Justice of Nigeria to openly show the ugly side he is affectionately sympathetic to in a political race that has just began, stressing that from CJN Ariwoola’s body language, it is becoming clearer that no party or candidate can get justice at the Supreme Court that he oversees.

The protesters said that Nigerians will not watch this overbearing suggestion by the CJN to rob off the citizens of the good governance which they have suffered in the last eight years.
The protesters were however tear gassed with canisters by officers and men of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command which created some tension and witnessed scampered in different directions and diverted from going to the Federal Ministry of Justice to press their demand for the resignation of Justice Ariwoola, over his alleged partisanship comments made in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The protesters carried different placards and banners with various inscriptions mainly demanding for an impartial judiciary ahead of the 2023 general elections. The police use of the tear gas canister on the peaceful protesters saw them scampered in different directions. Some of the inscriptions on the placards carried and displayed by the protesters read; “We demand independent judiciary, peaceful 2023 general elections,” “Judicial politicians will cause us harm, Ariwoola is a politician,” “You are partisan, Ariwoola resign now”, and “No more politicians in judicial bodies,” among other inscriptions.

Some of the members of the CSOs that participated in the anti-Ariwoola protest include the ‘Democratic Rights Assembly’ ‘Democratic Youth Initiative, ‘Forum for Social Justice’, ‘Movement for the Development of Democracy,’ ‘Civil Society Forum of Nigeria,’ ‘Safeguard Nigeria Movement,’ ‘Alliance for People’s Welfare,’ Forward Nigeria Movement, ‘Human Right Crusaders’, ‘Defenders of Democracy,’ ‘Voter’s Rights Assembly,’ ‘Nigeria Youth Development Forum,’ among others.

Spokesperson of the Coalition, Comrade Olayinka Dada told journalists that the demand or the immediate resignation of CJN Ariwoola has become imperative in the interest of democracy and a balanced and just judiciary needed in the country.

According to him; “Few days ago, Nigerians woke up to the reckless partisan interference of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tajudeen Olukayode Ariwoola in political dispute capable of making Nigerians distrust the electoral processes leading to the 2023 general elections.

“The Chief Justice of Nigeria in an unholy visitation to Rivers state, alleged to be a bought commissioning exercise made reckless statements in favor of his new found political friend, Governor Nyesom Wike.

“The Coalition of Civil Societies of Nigeria has since analysed his statements at the commissioning and came to the conclusion that democracy is indeed in
danger.

“Nigerians will resist this affront with all legitimacy of their convictions! How do we explain that the man saddled with the impartial role of dispensing justice is now on the side of a particular group in a political dispute?

“Given the fact that 18 political parties are up in the race for the 2023 general elections, we wonder what interest the CJN had in one of the political parties (PDP) leading him to obstruct the impartiality of the Judicial arm of government he currently heads.

“Nigerians are at lost as to the reasons our constitution spelt out the independence of each arm of government. This portends a great danger to the smooth dispensation of justice in case of electoral dispute before, during and after the 2023 general elections. As the saying goes, he who pays the piper dictates the tune.

“We are out today to save our hard fought democracy. The journey to this point despite all imperfections and challenges is no doubt one that cost great countrymen and women their lives. Many people sacrificed their time and lost their lives to enthrone this democratic order in Nigeria,” he said.

The Coalition particularly called on the National Judicial Council to as a matter of urgency and in the national interest act quickly to ensure that the CJN has put a stop to the impartiality of the Judiciary saying; “Enough is Enough!”