Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command have on Tuesday dispersed hundreds of protesters demanding the resignation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Tajudeen Ariwoola, over his alleged partisanship in the 2023 general elections.
Recall that Mr Aroowola had during a banquet held in his honour of Governor Nysome Wike in Port Harcourt, reportedly said that he was happy that his governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, was in Mr Wike’s camp of the G5 PDP governors.
Among the inscriptions on their placards were: “You are partisan, Ariwoola resign now”, Judicial politicians will cause us harm, Ariwoola is a politician”, “We demand independent judiciary, peaceful 2023 general elections”, and “No more politicians in judicial bodies, among others.
The protesters, under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Societies of Nigeria, CCSN, said the alleged posture by the CJN portends a great danger to the smooth dispensation of justice in case of electoral dispute before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
Speaking with journalists during the protest, the spokesperson of the group, Olayinka Dada, called on the CJN to resign his appointment in the interest of democracy in the country.
He said: “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 lives to enthrone this democratic order in Nigeria.
“Seeing the hard-fought democracy under threat as we are witnessing now is nonetheless a misnomer. Nigerians will resist this affront with all legitimacy of their convictions!
“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.
“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 head.