Wike Advocates Strong Judiciary For Nigeria’s Democracy

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that the strength of Nigeria’s democratic process depends on a virile judicial system that can guarantee the rights and civic liberties of the people.
Governor Wike made the assertion at the unveiling of a book, ” Legal Paradigm in Nigeria: A New Direction In Study Of Law And Practice,” in honour of a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon Justice Abdul Aboki, in Abuja, on Friday.
The Rivers State Governor said the negligence of the judiciary by the federal government has not only undermined the prospect of effective justice delivery system in Nigeria but also places the country’s democracy and rule of law under serious threat, making Nigerians to have doubt over the protection of their fundamental rights and protection of key institutions.
Governor Wike urged judges in the country not to shirk from their constitutional responsibilities by yielding to intimidation and compromise, but be courageous and bold to live up to their judicial oaths of protecting the rights of the citizens.
He pointed out that the actions and conducts of political parties and party leaders were morbidly disdainful and completely at variance with electoral laws and democratic norms, noting that the ugly trend places the country’s democracy in a state of uncertainty.
He commended the celebrant for his commitment and contributions towards the dispensation of justice during his active service years and urged the federal government to provide the needed incentives to strengthen the judiciary and promote effective justice delivery in Nigeria as exemplified in Rivers State under his administration.
Governor Wike, who also lauded the author of the book, said the book would provide insightful benchmark and bulwark for effective judicial practice in Nigeria.
Also, the Rivers State Governor, in the week under review,ongoing construction work of the 13 kilometers Rumuodogo 1 and Rumuodogo 2 roads in Emuoha LGA and declared that the outstanding performance of his administration in Rivers State would swing votes for PDP candidates in the state in the 2023 general elections.
He urged Rivers people not to waste their votes for any opposition party in the state, particularly the ruling APC which he said had no justifications to seek the votes of Rivers people having totally failed the state in terms of projects delivery despite the contributions of the state to national development.
Governor Wike, last Thursday, signed three bills passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly into Law at the Executive Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt. The three Laws are: Rivers State Prohibition of the Curtailment of Women’s Rights to Share in Family Property Law No. 2 of 2022; Rivers State Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Law No. 3 of 2022 and the Rivers State Pension Reforms (Amendment) Law No. 4 of 2022.

By: Beemene Taneh