Alex Enumah writes that the failure of the nation’s apex court, the Supreme Court to ensure justice is served in the worsening political stalemate in Rivers State may threaten the survival of Nigeria’s fourth democratic dispensation.
Come May 29, 2025, Nigeria would be celebrating 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule; the longest so far in the history of Nigeria. While many pray and work towards the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria and indeed the West African region for the sake of regional peace and development, recent political developments and the increasing but worrisome role of the judiciary especially in the choice of who governs the people seem to threaten this desire and efforts.
A common political cliche in Nigeria today is, “Go to Court”. Political parties and their candidates declared as winners of a glaringly flawed elections with confidence are quick to tell those who actually won the election but declared as losers to go to court, simply because they are confident the courts will deliver judgment in their favour. There’s no gainsaying that some decisions of courts, especially the Supreme Court have continued to lower the image of the judiciary as well as erode public confidence in the judiciary.