The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally lodged a complaint with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) against the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, and a spokesperson of the party’s campaign council, Kenneth Okonkwo. The APC condemned what it termed ‘deprecating remarks’ made by the two individuals against the justices of the Supreme Court.
In a petition signed by the APC’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, the party expressed its concerns over the alarming trend of inflammatory statements made by legal practitioners, emphasizing that such actions undermine the integrity of the judiciary.
He said,
“It is true that the APC is presenting a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee against the duo of Abure and Kenneth of Okonkwo. The duo make deprecating remarks about the justices of the Supreme Court and the judiciary which acts we consider a breach of their duties as legal practitioners.
“They should defend themselves accordingly rather than their party engaging in unnecessary characteristic ranting.”
Responding to the petition, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, underscored that the move by the APC to report their officials to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee was a confirmation of their fears of an orchestrated campaign of persecution by the APC, allegedly spearheaded by President Bola Tinubu.
He said,
“Nigerians will recall in our press statement of Thursday that we alerted the nation some key leaders of the Labour Party have been earmarked for vilification and persecution using security agencies and other institutions in the aftermath of the judgement of the Supreme Court, on the Presidential Election.
“The party views this action by the APC, less than three days after the Supreme Court judgment, as a confirmation of our suspicion and information of a campaign of persecution, harassment, intimidation and incarceration against the Labour Party and its overwhelming supporters, nationally and globally. We hold firmly and with no fear of contradiction, that every court judgment, especially on political matters, is subject to criticism and administrative review. All authorities in Nigeria including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria derive their strength and authority from the people. Therefore, all authority in Nigeria is subject to public opinion and oversight.
“Again, we emphatically state, that all those statements were made during Public and press interaction, respective to their political offices and responsibilities, and were not delivered in their personal capacities, or in their professional duties, as legal practitioners. They were purely political statements, delivered in their capacities as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, as well as the spokesperson of the Obi Datti Presidential Council. Probably, the APC leadership is not duly enlightened, that once a judgement is delivered, comments coming afterward, are no longer considered subjudice.
“Several other Nigerians, including notable legal luminaries, including a retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, have also freely expressed their opinions on the procedure and outcome of the Supreme Court Judgement. Therefore, for the APC to isolate our leaders for vilification, by exaggerated and misguided inferences, our fears of persecution have begun to materialise.”
Moreover, the spokesperson cautioned that should the administration prevail in what they perceive as a dictatorial pursuit to persecute and defame opposition political parties and their supporters, it could significantly undermine a democracy that is already grappling to recuperate from the series of unprecedented challenges witnessed during the recent election period.
“We call on all democratic fronts in Nigeria, and people of goodwill, to rise up to this ugly and unfortunate development, and to work in joint purpose, towards protecting public opinion, and upholding human rights, in Nigeria, as guaranteed by the Constitution, and international statutes, before they are totally and entirely compromised.
“Finally we appeal to the NBA to not allow itself to be dragged into APC’s murky political ways through which it has shamelessly compromised key institutions,” he stated.