Shehu Sani, a former senator and activist-turned-politician, has expressed the viewpoint that merely reforming Nigeria’s judiciary is insufficient for achieving substantial improvements in the country. In a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sani remarked, “We cannot achieve a perfect judiciary in an imperfect country,” highlighting the need for comprehensive reforms across all sectors of Nigerian society.
Sani emphasized that the judiciary is composed of individuals who are part of the community, as they are often related to the very citizens they serve. He argued for a transformation in the way voters select their representatives, advocating for a focus on merit rather than political affiliations. According to Sani, this shift is crucial for electing capable leaders.
He pointed out that the current political landscape is dominated by powerful figures and political godfathers, which complicates the path for honest candidates seeking election. Many good candidates, although willing to run, often feel pressured to pursue nominations from larger, established parties, which are largely influenced by these powerful interests. As a result, voters tend to support candidates from these major parties, frequently swayed by financial incentives rather than genuine qualities.
Sani noted that this pattern of decision-making leads to the election of unsuitable leaders, contributing to a cycle of poor governance. He argues that without addressing these fundamental issues within the political system, meaningful improvements in the judiciary and overall governance in Nigeria will remain elusive.
Moreover, Sani linked the recent trend of defections among lawmakers in the National Assembly to ongoing conflicts within various political parties, suggesting that these internal struggles further complicate the political landscape.
Think about this: when you go to the PDP today, you need to pick a group you want to support. For politicians, the group you choose will determine whether you can continue your job. He asked an interesting question: “If you’re a politician and the car that took you to work breaks down, what would you do next?” He cautioned that if the PDP doesn’t fix its internal problems before the 2027 elections, it might only end up with a few people in the Senate and House of Representatives. He also mentioned that the Labour Party is struggling because it doesn’t have a strong leader to bring everyone together. On the other hand, he pointed out that the APC seems to be the most united party right now.
Sani, who switched from the PDP to the ruling APC after the 2023 elections, emphasized the importance of ideology in politics. He stated that a staggering 98 percent of Nigerian politicians are unaware of their parties’ ideologies, with the exception of a few like the Peoples Redemption Party, National Conscience Party, and Socialist Party of Nigeria. While he acknowledged his return to the APC, he remarked that the core philosophy of the APC does not significantly differ from that of the PDP. However, he expressed a shared character with President Bola Tinubu, highlighting their common history in the fight for democracy.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)
Reforming judiciary alone can’t transform Nigeria – Shehu Sani
Shehu Sani, a former senator and activist-turned-politician, has expressed the viewpoint that merely reforming Nigeria’s judiciary is insufficient for achieving substantial improvements in the country. In a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sani remarked, “We cannot achieve a perfect judiciary in an imperfect country,” highlighting the need for comprehensive reforms across all sectors of Nigerian society.
Sani emphasized that the judiciary is composed of individuals who are part of the community, as they are often related to the very citizens they serve. He argued for a transformation in the way voters select their representatives, advocating for a focus on merit rather than political affiliations. According to Sani, this shift is crucial for electing capable leaders.
He pointed out that the current political landscape is dominated by powerful figures and political godfathers, which complicates the path for honest candidates seeking election. Many good candidates, although willing to run, often feel pressured to pursue nominations from larger, established parties, which are largely influenced by these powerful interests. As a result, voters tend to support candidates from these major parties, frequently swayed by financial incentives rather than genuine qualities.
Sani noted that this pattern of decision-making leads to the election of unsuitable leaders, contributing to a cycle of poor governance. He argues that without addressing these fundamental issues within the political system, meaningful improvements in the judiciary and overall governance in Nigeria will remain elusive.
Moreover, Sani linked the recent trend of defections among lawmakers in the National Assembly to ongoing conflicts within various political parties, suggesting that these internal struggles further complicate the political landscape.
Think about this: when you go to the PDP today, you need to pick a group you want to support. For politicians, the group you choose will determine whether you can continue your job. He asked an interesting question: “If you’re a politician and the car that took you to work breaks down, what would you do next?” He cautioned that if the PDP doesn’t fix its internal problems before the 2027 elections, it might only end up with a few people in the Senate and House of Representatives. He also mentioned that the Labour Party is struggling because it doesn’t have a strong leader to bring everyone together. On the other hand, he pointed out that the APC seems to be the most united party right now.
Sani, who switched from the PDP to the ruling APC after the 2023 elections, emphasized the importance of ideology in politics. He stated that a staggering 98 percent of Nigerian politicians are unaware of their parties’ ideologies, with the exception of a few like the Peoples Redemption Party, National Conscience Party, and Socialist Party of Nigeria. While he acknowledged his return to the APC, he remarked that the core philosophy of the APC does not significantly differ from that of the PDP. However, he expressed a shared character with President Bola Tinubu, highlighting their common history in the fight for democracy.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)
Related Arcticle
Okpebholo approves new GRA to ease congestion, expand housing in Edo
Julius Berger wins BRANDNIGERIA Top 50 Award for 11th consecutive year
Abiodun celebrates Ogun NUJ at 50, commends journalists’ contributions to state devt