The governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has criticized the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, for swearing in only five out of the eight judges of the Edo State High Court. Obaseki had sworn in the judges on Friday, stating that it was part of his commitment to strengthen the judiciary.
Akpata condemned the governor’s actions, stating that the delay in swearing in the judges, who were recommended by the National Judicial Council 11 months ago, was unacceptable. He also criticized Obaseki for selecting only five out of the eight recommended judges for swearing in without any reason or explanation.
As a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Akpata expressed his strong disapproval of the governor’s conduct, calling it a tragedy and a travesty. He accused Obaseki of putting partisan interests above the rule of law and the interests of the people, stating that the timing of the governor’s decision, coming five months before the Edo State gubernatorial elections, was no coincidence.
Akpata stressed that Obaseki’s actions reflected the deceitful and self-serving nature of the Peoples Democratic Party government in the state, and called for the independence of the judiciary to be upheld. The Labour Party candidate warned against subjugating the judiciary to the executive, emphasizing the importance of the separation of powers in a democratic society.
