The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for celebrating the commissioning of residential quarters for judges, describing the development as inappropriate and capable of undermining public confidence in the independence of the judiciary.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said while judges deserve decent accommodation, adequate security and improved welfare, such provisions should not be presented as personal achievements of political office holders.
According to the ADC, the construction of housing for judicial officers is a constitutional responsibility of government funded by taxpayers and not a favour from elected officials.
The party argued that portraying President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as benefactors of the judiciary creates a dangerous perception that judges are dependent on the goodwill of political leaders.
“The issue is not the construction of the quarters itself, but the dangerous impression of the Executive arm of government presenting itself as the benefactor of another constitutionally independent arm,” the statement said.
The ADC maintained that in democratic systems governed by the principle of separation of powers, the welfare of judges should never be publicly portrayed as a gift from politicians whose actions may ultimately be subject to judicial review.
It expressed concern that the APC’s celebration of the project could reinforce existing public perceptions that the executive arm exerts undue influence over the judiciary.
The opposition party further argued that judicial independence cannot be measured by physical infrastructure alone but by institutional autonomy, financial independence, security of tenure and freedom from political interference.
“Judicial independence is not achieved by the number of buildings commissioned by politicians. Rather, it is measured by institutional autonomy, financial independence, security of tenure, freedom from political pressure and the confidence of citizens that judges are accountable only to the Constitution and the law,” the ADC stated.
The party accused the APC of turning a public project into a partisan public relations exercise and warned that such actions could weaken public trust in the neutrality of the courts.
It described the development as an assault on the spirit of separation of powers and insisted that public institutions should not be transformed into symbols of political patronage.
The ADC also called on judicial officers to be mindful of the ethical implications of their relationship with government officials, noting that the judiciary already faces significant challenges regarding public confidence.
According to the party, restoring trust in the judicial system requires judges to maintain clear institutional independence and avoid situations that may create the impression of political indebtedness.
“The Judiciary belongs to the Nigerian people, not to the APC, not to President Tinubu, and certainly not to any minister of government,” the statement added.
The ADC urged all stakeholders to protect the integrity and independence of the judiciary, describing it as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
