By ADEYEMI ADELEYE

A former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to protect the independence and integrity of the judiciary.

George, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, made the call at a news conference while reading an open letter, addressed to the Chairman of NJC, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, over recent judicial developments relating to the party’s leadership crisis.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the letter is tagged “The Imperative of Preserving the Sanctity, Independence and Integrity of the Nigerian Judiciary”

He expressed concern that some court decisions were eroding public confidence in the judiciary and weakening constitutional democracy, especially the dispute that arose from a suit filed by the PDP Board of Trustees against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said the suit sought to compel INEC to implement existing judgments by updating its records to recognise the PDP leadership led by Chief Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

The PDP chieftain, however, said the court dismissed the suit as a waste of judicial time.

George described the development as disturbing and inconsistent with constitutional principles governing judicial precedents.

He said: “Whether rightly or wrongly, whenever judicial pronouncements give rise to a reasonable public perception of political influence or constitutional inconsistency, confidence in the administration of justice is gravely diminished.

“Such perceptions, if left unaddressed, threaten not only the reputation of individual courts but the very legitimacy of the Judiciary itself.

“The Nigerian people deserve a justice system they can trust not one that appears to reward judicial impunity, embolden constitutional abuse, and accelerate the nation’s slide towards institutional collapse.

“No democracy can flourish where judicial recklessness is allowed to prevail or where political interference compromises the administration of justice.

“Such actions erode the independence of the Judiciary, diminish its integrity, weaken its moral authority, and ultimately undermine the rule of law; the very foundation upon which every constitutional democracy rests.”

According to him, NJC bears both a constitutional and moral responsibility to ensure that the bench remains beyond reproach.

He said that the erosion of judicial integrity threatened not merely individual litigants, but the very foundation of constitutional democracy itself.

“If justice is perceived to be compromised, the rule of law is weakened, public confidence is shattered, and the legitimacy of democratic governance is placed in jeopardy.

“The independence of the Judiciary is not merely a constitutional provision; it is the cornerstone of liberty, the safeguard against executive excess, and the assurance that no citizen is above the law and none is beneath its protection.

“Once public confidence in the courts begins to erode, the consequences extend far beyond the courtroom.

“Respect for lawful authority diminishes, democratic institutions weaken, and the social contract upon which the Nigerian State is built begins to fracture,” he said.

George called for courage, fidelity to the judicial oath, and an unwavering commitment to the principles of justice without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

He said: “The National Judicial Council must continue to demonstrate, both in action and in resolve, that the Judiciary remains insulated from every form of external influence and committed solely to the dictates of the Constitution and the law.

“The integrity of the Judiciary is not negotiable; it is the lifeblood of the Nigerian Republic.

“The Judiciary remains the last hope of the common man only so long as the common man remains convinced that justice is administered according to law, guided by the Constitution, and uninfluenced by power or expediency.”

According to him, the preservation of that confidence is the solemn responsibility of every judicial officer, and ultimately, of the National Judicial Council itself

“I therefore respectfully call upon the National Judicial Council to discharge its constitutional mandate with the courage, impartiality and firmness expected of the guardian of judicial ethics and accountability.

“In doing so, the Council will not only preserve the honour of the Bench but also reaffirm the confidence of the Nigerian people that justice in our country remains blind to political pressure and faithful only to the Constitution and the rule of law.

“The future of the Nigerian Republic depends upon nothing less,” George added.

Describing PDP as an Iroko tree that could not be uprooted, George said, “Until I die, I will not tell the truth to power for the sake of this country. NJC cannot go to sleep now.”.

Urging party loyaltists to remain steadfast, the chieftain said he would not sit to watch PDP denigrated.

“We must not allow the party to die.” (NAN)