Senior Nigerian lawyer, Olumide Fusika SAN, has taken an exception to the recent judicial rulings that have been interpreted as allowing politicians to defect from one party to another without repercussions. In his recent appearance on Arise TV, Fusika implored the court to stop mixing politics with the law as he saw affidavits deposed to by the 27 Rivers lawmakers, attesting to their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He referred to the Supreme Court’s recent controversial ruling on defections, saying such pronouncement by the apex court has contributed to the alarming trend of mass party defections in recent years.
“When you have that kind of decision, you are sending a signal out that you can do it, and nothing will happen,” he said, reflecting on how such judicial pronouncements can embolden politicians to act recklessly.
Olumide-Fusika further explained that the law was clear on issues such as political defections, but the implementation was inconsistent.
“When it comes to political decisions, the Supreme Court should realize that any case that gets to it is essentially a policy decision. The Court should stop making decisions that mix politics and the law,” he stressed.
The Senior Advocate also warned that the lack of judicial firmness had allowed a culture of lawlessness to permeate Nigerian politics. “Once they do it, you’ll see that politicians and ordinary Nigerians will begin to realize that this is not acceptable,” he remarked.
In a pointed remark about the state of Nigerian politics, Olumide-Fusika suggested that reforms were insufficient without judicial enforcement of the law. He explained that Nigerians, as a society, would continue to mirror the behavior of politicians, especially when they see laws being flouted without consequences.
“It is when we see that laws, regulations are not being enforced—this person is getting away with it—’Why do I want to be different?’” Olumide-Fusika said, making a call for the judiciary to become the backbone of societal change by consistently applying the law without fear or favor.
