…Says Nigeria drifting toward dictatorship, one-party state
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Renowned constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate, Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has raised the alarm over the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s judiciary and the country’s democratic direction, warning that continued neglect of the justice sector could threaten the rule of law and fuel autocracy.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme on Saturday, Ozekhome decried the deplorable conditions under which many judges operate, describing them as “dilapidated infrastructure” where judicial officers still write proceedings in longhand.
“We saw the visuals of some of the courts. I wouldn’t sit there, but that’s the place we call a hall of justice. These places are dilapidated,” he said. “The judiciary has been ignored for too long.”
Ozekhome argued that for justice to be delivered effectively, judges must be provided with proper working conditions and treated with dignity. He emphasized that since judges are also members of society, they are not immune to its ills, especially corruption.
“To shield them from societal pressures and corruption, they must be well funded and respected,” he stated.
While acknowledging the Federal Government’s recent efforts to increase judicial remuneration—citing a law enacted last year that raised the salaries of Supreme Court justices to about N54 million annually—Ozekhome stressed that it was still insufficient given the inflationary pressure and broader challenges in the system.
He quoted an old adage, “A corrupt judge is more dangerous than a man armed with a dagger,” noting that while a dagger can be restrained, a corrupt judge undermines the moral foundation of society.
He also touched on the recent strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), which was suspended after demands for better wages and working conditions. He said the incident underscored the chronic underfunding of the judiciary and its consequences on service delivery.
Beyond the judiciary, Ozekhome expressed grave concerns over Nigeria’s political climate, warning that the country is “gradually driving without knowing it towards a one-party state.”
He cited the wave of defections and political cross-carpeting by elected officials as evidence of ideological bankruptcy, describing it as “bootlicking at its highest level.”
“It’s like beans, akara, and moi-moi — they’re the same,” he quipped, in a jab at the lack of policy or ideological distinction between major political parties.
According to him, the consolidation of power in one party is a dangerous trajectory that leads to dictatorship. “In a one-party state, dictatorship reigns supreme. The National Assembly gets pocketed, the judiciary gets pocketed, and everyone starts saying ‘yes, yes, yes.’”
Referencing the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) boast of 60 years in power before its unexpected fall, Ozekhome cautioned that the current administration, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, may be setting the stage for a similar implosion, especially if it continues to dominate all political and governance structures unchecked.
He also warned that if the opposition remains disunited, Tinubu may end up “virtually running against himself” in the 2027 general elections.
Ozekhome lamented the increasing passivity of the Nigerian populace, likening it to Stockholm Syndrome, where victims empathize with their oppressors.
“Nigerians are becoming docile. When pushed to the wall, they retreat instead of fighting back. This leads to helplessness and hopelessness,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to demand better governance and resist creeping authoritarianism, reminding citizens: “The power is yours; it is not theirs.”
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