Former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed serious concerns about the judiciary during a speech on Thursday at the 67th birthday celebration of legal expert Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, in Abuja. He criticized recent court rulings, particularly those related to political cases, which he found troubling. One judgment that particularly alarmed him was from the Supreme Court, which ruled that a ward chairman of a political party had the authority to suspend the party’s National Chairman.

Jonathan questioned the logic behind this decision, suggesting that it undermined the principles of democracy. He metaphorically described democracy as a cone, stating that if it were turned upside down, it would become unstable, as even minor disturbances could lead to its collapse. He stressed that such rulings could jeopardize the democratic framework of the country.

He further explained that allowing ward chairmen to suspend their national counterparts deviated from natural justice. Jonathan remarked, “You cannot tell me that the head of a department can expel the vice chancellor.” He pointed out the instability this judgment has caused within political parties, noting the current crisis in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and past issues faced by the All Progressives Congress (APC). He highlighted that in many countries, subordinate units do not have the power to discipline higher authorities, urging the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling.

Jonathan made these comments after being introduced by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who had originally been designated as the event’s chairman. However, as he approached the podium, Obasanjo invited Jonathan to co-chair the celebration. In his speech, Obasanjo praised Ozekhome as an “extraordinary man” and a “radical” advocate for significant positive change.

Before leaving the podium, Obasanjo hinted at broader issues regarding the judiciary, acknowledging Jonathan’s points while suggesting that further discussion would come at an appropriate time. Jonathan, who mentioned that he contributed a foreword to one of the 50 books presented at the event, seemed aware that Obasanjo preferred not to delve into judicial matters during the celebration.