Finally, Obaseki Buries Legal Challenges, As Supreme Court Reaffirms Him Edo Governor

By Ayodele Oni

Finally, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, can have a sigh of relief. He can now relax comfortably on his Governorship seat, and face the job for which he was elected into office.

A five- man Panel of the Supreme Court, Friday, unanimously affirmed him the Governor of the State. In affirming him, the Apex court, diminished as rubbish, the case instituted against the Governor, alleging forgery in his educational certificate.

Hailing the judgement, his Deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu,  described the country’s Judiciary as the referee of democracy through enforcement of the rule of law, to protect the minorities from the power of the majority.

According to him, “the ruling of the Supreme Court today has shown that the Judiciary does not lack teeth.

“The rule of law is the strong pillar and rock on which Nigeria’s democracy stands.

“Every other foundation is made of sinking sand because the judiciary is no longer bound by artificial limitations.”

Mr Shaibu said the Supreme Court displayed decisional and institutional independence which underscores the ability of the Judiciary to make decisions free from Political influence.

“The Judiciary constitutes the most important vessel in the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. The Supreme Court is not a systematic instrument for the acquisition of political power.

“The final judgement today has demonstrated to the World that the Nigerian Judiciary is not a pawn in the hands of desperate politicians to realized their ambition.

“The rule of law has prevailed and this has demonstrated further that no one can sit above the law.

“Justice is the greatest interest of man and the ligament which binds civilized people together. Today’s judgement has reinforced this saying due to the celebration all over Edo State and other parts of the World.

“The extent to which the Nigeria Judiciary is free to perform its roles and efficiently too, will determine how developed and how deep rooted our Democracy will be.”

He commended the Judiciary for bailing the nation out of the woods and for waging unrelenting war against arbitrariness, highhandedness, wickedness and injustice.

The Deputy Governor cautioned politicians that Nigeria is operating the rule of law and not rule by law where unjust and oppressive laws are enacted with hyperpoliticized Courts to oppressed others.

“This is a democracy, for full protection of minority rights within majority rule” he added.

Both the Federal and Courts of Appeal had earlier dismissed the allegations against Obaseki.