The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has urged political leaders to collaboratively strengthen the judiciary, uphold the rule of law, and protect the principles of democracy.
Ganduje gave the advice on Thursday in Abuja, at the first Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) roundtable with the theme: ‘The Role of the Judiciary in Nigeria’s Democratic Sustainability’.
He said that Nigeria’s judiciary had played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s democratic landscape.
Ganduje, however, said that in playing such a critical role, the judiciary faced various challenges such as inadequate funding, delays in justice delivery, and judicial independence, amongst others.
“In spite of these challenges, I believe that there are opportunities for reforms that would further improve and strengthen the judiciary, as well as enhance its role in democratic sustainability.
“I believe one of the key pillars of a vibrant democracy is an independent judiciary, therefore, stakeholders in the democratic process must ensure that the judiciary remains free from external influences and interference,’’ he said.
In the communiqué issued after the roundtable, the participants urged Nigerian courts to take a hard look at some of the principles of electoral jurisprudence aiding and abetting rigging and imposition of people duly rejected at the polls.
They added that some archaic precedents and principles that put roadblocks to democratic growth and development must be departed from and a new set of rules to guide the political behaviours of the political class must be set.
The participants called on the courts to emphasise the superiority of Constitutional provisions and Acts of Parliament.
They added that electronic evidence in section 84 of the Evidence Act and the use of technology must be given prominent pride of place.
According to them, this is to avoid old and analogue requirements of calling polling units by polling units evidence in proof of electoral malpractices.
“Legislation should nip in the bud the issue of laxity and latitude given to INEC to choose whichever method of transmission of results it wants;
“But adhere to a mandatory, uniform, clear and unarguable duty and obligation to be carried out by INEC via a clean and unambiguous status,’’ the stakeholders said.
They also advised the Nigerian judiciary to maintain a very great distance from politics and politicians..
“To enhance resolution of disputes in Political parties, there should be legislation to entrench fixed Arbitration panels in Political Parties to deal with internal disputes in Political parties.
“Politicians should not be involved in the recruitment process of Judges.
“Accordingly, recruitment of judicial officers must be carried out transparently, meritoriously and without bias to have the best hands, with impeccable integrity, which will in turn rub off on the quality of judgments,’’ they said. (NAN)