15th January, 2023
By Shedrack Frank
Former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has admonished politicians in the country to allow the judiciary to perform its constitutional functions.
Jonathan gave the admonition during the book presentation/reception of week-long activities marking the retirement of the Bayelsa Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.
The former president acknowledged the critical role Justice Abiri played when she swore in Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, thus averting a constitutional crisis and advised politicians not to be blinded by the power they wield.
Jonathan equally cautioned judicial officers to strive to be impartial and courageous in upholding the rule of law, which he noted was significant in the delivery of justice.
His words: “I advise politicians that while in office, let us not try to blackmail the judiciary because it is conservative.
“When we get political power, we get so blinded. Politicians should know that society is changing.
“Today, we are celebrating our retiring Chief Judge because she has served meritoriously.
“In 2015, she left Bayelsa for Rivers to perform the swearing-in of the governor, thereby averting anarchy. It appears that the judicial arm is more functional than the executive,” he said.
(NAN)