Court orders that seek to limit Nigeria’s democracy, according to President Bola Tinubu, will no longer be tolerated.
This was said by him on Monday, June 12, in honor of 2023 Democracy Day.
Every year on June 12, Democracy Day is observed in honor of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the deceased winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, as well as other democratic heroes.
The 2023 general elections would demonstrate that Nigeria’s democracy is still strong, according to the newly-elected President of Nigeria, who spoke to Nigerians on Monday.
The beauty of democracy, in his opinion, is that those who are now winning elections today could lose them tomorrow.
Politicians have obtained court orders to upturn the electoral victories of opponents and occupy offices. In some cases, conflicting court orders on elections have left the public confused. But the President said “illegal orders” won’t be condoned.
“For Chief MKO Abiola, the symbol of this day, in whose memory June 12 became a national holiday, democracy is eternal,” Tinubu said.
“It is about rule of law and vibrant judiciary that can be trusted to deliver justice and strengthen institutions. It has become imperative to state here that the unnecessary illegal orders issued to truncate or abridge democracy will no longer be tolerated.”
The President further said the recent harmonisation of the retirement age for judicial officers is meant to strengthen the rule of law.
“The recent harmonisation of the retirement age for judicial officers is meant to strengthen the rule of law, which is a critical pillar of democracy. The reform has just started.
“The democracy that will yield right dividends to the people who are the shareholders means more than just freedom of choice and right to get people into elective offices. It means social and economic justice for our people,” he said