Akpata Criticizes Obaseki For Delayed Swearing-In Of Judges
Olumide Akpata, the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party in Edo State, has strongly criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki for the delayed swearing-in of judges to the Edo State High Court. Akpata condemned Obaseki’s decision to swear in only five out of the eight recommended judges, 11 months after their recommendation by the National Judicial Council.
In a statement shared on his official social media handle, Akpata expressed his disapproval of the governor’s actions, labeling them as reprehensible. He highlighted the immense financial hardship faced by the recommended judges during the nearly year-long delay, emphasizing that subjecting them to such indignities was unacceptable.
Akpata further criticized Obaseki for unilaterally selecting and swearing in only five out of the recommended eight judges without providing any reason or explanation. He argued that this action violated the principles of separation of powers, leaving the remaining three judges and their families in a precarious situation.
As a senior member of the Bar and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Akpata denounced Obaseki’s failure to fulfill his constitutional duty. He characterized the governor’s decision as reflective of the deceitful and self-serving nature of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the state.
Akpata pointed out the timing of Obaseki’s action, just five months before the Edo State gubernatorial elections, suggesting that it was driven by partisan interests rather than the rule of law and the welfare of the people. He warned against undermining the independence of the judiciary and reducing it to a mere appendage of the governing party’s agenda, stating that such conduct struck at the core of democracy.
