In a flashback, Nigeria’s judicial system faced severe criticism as Godswill Akpabio was inaugurated as Senate President.
In June 2024, Godswill Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, was sworn in as the president of the 10th Senate.
Akpabio was elected as President of the 10th Senate after scoring 63 votes defeating Senator Abdul’aziz Yari who scored 46 votes.
However, his ascension to this influential position sparked concerns about the integrity of the country’s judiciary, which many believe had facilitated his rise.
A prominent activist and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili criticized the judiciary’s role in Akpabio’s rise.
In a detailed Twitter statement Ezekwesili, said that if it was not for the “rottenness of the Nigerian Judiciary,” Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, would not have been senator, let alone the country’s Senate President.
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Elaborating on her concerns, she said , “Our sharply declining Nigerian Democracy was apparently further assaulted by @Senator_Akpabio who should never have been answering the title of Senator not to talk of “Senate President” were it not for the rottenness of the country’s Judiciary
” @NGCourtofAppeal that has obviously thrown caution to the wind and allowed itself to be corrupted and captured by decadent politicians.”
Ezekwesili also expressed regret over Akpabio’s perceived hubris and quoted Marianne Williamson.
She said , “Mr Akpabio is regrettably caught up in the web of Hubris. We should remind him and his band of Destroyers of Democracy the wise and legendary words of Marianne Williamson: Empires always have the hubris to think they are indestructible, when in fact they are always unsustainable.”
She called on opposition party members to fulfill their democratic responsibilities, praising @SenatorNwoye, @ireti_kingibe, and other Labor Party Senators for their efforts
“Meanwhile, it was hopeful to see Opposition Party voices finally doing what Democracy demands of them. Kudos to @SenatorNwoye @ireti_kingibe and other Labor Party Senators.
“Raise your Collective Voice on all matters that affect the Citizens who elected you into office as Lawmakers @nassnigeria .
“It was what we expected of you on those egregious Luxury SUVs you collected or are waiting to collect.
“You folks with the People’s Mandate can still lead the way out of the entrapment by this “Monopoly Democracy” of a political class rascality that is now exemplified by Mr Akpabio and his ilk.”
Recently, there has been criticism of strong corruption and nepotism in the judicial system which have eroded public confidence in the integrity.
Parallel Facts reported that the former justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kayode Ariwoola before his retirement came under scrutiny for alleged judicial corruption and prioritizing family interest over integrity of the judiciary.
The National Judicial Council (NJC), which he chaired was criticized for controversial appointments of judicial officers, and questions were raised about the integrity of appointments under his leadership.
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