‘Courts Should Avoid PDP’s Internal Matters to Preserve Neutrality’

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The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong, has cautioned the judiciary against interfering in the party’s internal affairs, warning that excessive involvement could undermine judicial neutrality.

Ememobong made the appeal during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.

Reacting to a court ruling that invalidated the PDP convention held in Ibadan, the party spokesman questioned the basis of the judgment, stating that the PDP constitution does not provide for a national caretaker committee.

He stressed that while he holds the judiciary in high regard, courts must exercise restraint in matters that are strictly internal to political parties in order to maintain public confidence.

According to Ememobong, although perception and reality do not always align, a problem arises when public perception becomes strong enough to erode trust in judicial processes.

He referenced public reports of interactions between the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, noting that such developments—regardless of intent—could raise concerns about impartiality.

Ememobong explained that the courtesy visit, which involved discussions about land and housing for judges, was widely publicised and could fuel public speculation, even if no wrongdoing was intended.

He emphasised that the party was not accusing the judiciary of bias but was highlighting the importance of perception in legal matters, noting that justice must not only be administered fairly but must also be visibly seen to be fair.

TAGS: Nigerian politics