Ezekwesili insists ‘all eyes [still] on the judiciary’ to deliver electoral justice
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
“All eyes [remain] on the judiciary” to deliver justice at election petition tribunals regardless of Bola Tinubu having directed the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to pull down the advertising campaign last week, Oby Ezekwesili has insisted.
The former Education Minister argued the advert the ARCON asked the Advertising Standard Panel (ASP) to remove, reportedly under pressure from Tinubu, is one of the best things that has happened to the third arm of government.
The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has reserved judgment to be delivered any time from now on the petitions filed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) seeking the nullification of Tinubu’s election on several legal grounds.
Ezekwesili said the judiciary always needs citizens to demand transparency and accountability for the huge constitutional responsibility of the courts.
“I absolutely have my eyes on the Nigerian Judiciary and delighted to see many other citizens do too,” she posted on Twitter, per Daily Post.
“#AllEyesOnTheJudiciary is one of the best things that has happened to our Judiciary, the 3rd Arm of Government, in recent times.
“Just like the other 2 Arms- Executive and Legislature, the Judiciary always needed our Citizens to demand transparency and accountability for their huge constitutional responsibility.
“One of the critical things you’ll learn in Policy School is to always keep the message simple for your target audience.
“The Judiciary has a message from citizens, who understand the importance of their country joining the league of countries that have through uncompromising adherence to Democratic Processes, built lasting institutions required for Development.
“It is #AllEyesOnTheJudiciary.”
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Related articles:
Eyes on the judiciary: My personal experience with a judge on PEPC panel, Justice AB Mohammed
Why all eyes will continue to be on the judiciary
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ASP dissolved, top brass suspended
Abuja on August 15 dissolved the secretariat of the ASP for approving billboards of “All Eyes on The Election Tribunal Judges” which the government claimed blackmailed the PEPC.
One of the billboards – with the hashtag, #AllEyesonTheElectionTribunalJudges – was sponsored by DIASPORA’S FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE.
The ASP is the Statutory Panel under the ARCON with ensures advertisements conform to laws and to the code of advertising ethics of the advertising profession.
A statement issued by ARCON Director General Olalekan Fadolapo announced the dissolution of the panel and the suspension of both ASP Director and Deputy Director to allow investigation of the “erroneous approval” of one of the concepts of the advert and the breach of vetting guidelines.
