The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has expressed worry about the extent of judicial involvement in Nigeria’s electoral and political proceedings.
In a statement released in Abuja on November 24, 2023, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, the convener of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), urged the judiciary at all levels to adhere to the highest ethical standards and maintain impartiality in decision-making. Emphasizing the crucial role of judges in displaying unwavering integrity, especially in handling election-related cases, NEF underscored the necessity for the judiciary to exercise caution to preserve its integrity and uphold public trust.
NEF highlighted the judiciary’s vital role in sustaining constitutional democracy by upholding the rule of law, safeguarding individual rights, and providing checks and balances on other branches of government. The group expressed concern that a failure on the judiciary’s part could have severe implications for the stability and functioning of a democratic society.
The forum also raised alarm about the potential consequences of the current trend, warning that politicians might perceive political contests as do-or-die situations. NEF stressed that a weakened judiciary poses a threat to constitutionalism, as it is the judiciary’s responsibility to ensure that laws and policies align with constitutional principles. Without a robust judiciary, constitutional violations may go unchecked, eroding public confidence in the democratic process and undermining citizens’ rights and freedoms.
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