We’ll continue to promote rule of law, tolerate dissenting voices, says Tinubu

By Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu has vowed to continue promoting the rule of law, adhering to the principles of separation of powers, and tolerating dissenting views within the ambit of Nigerian laws.

He stated that since assuming office, his administration has made steady progress in rebuilding the nation through legal and judicial reforms.

The President made this statement on Sunday while declaring open the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos.

President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, acknowledged the association’s sterling history of championing democratic ideals and promoting the rule of law.

“Let me reassure you all that this administration will continue to promote the rule of law, adhere to the principles of separation of powers, and tolerate dissent within the bounds of the law,” he declared.

The President urged Nigerian lawyers and other citizens to join his administration in working towards a Nigeria that fulfills everyone’s aspirations, emphasizing that the nation cannot continue on the same path as in the past if sustainable development is to be achieved.

He assured that while making difficult decisions to change past practices may yield tough results, his administration’s policies and actions will soon bring relief to Nigerians.

President Tinubu noted: “Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, while I acknowledge the temporary challenges facing us as a nation, I urge you all not to adopt a defeatist approach. Instead, we should remain resolute in working for a country of our dreams.

“It is obvious that Nigeria cannot continue on the same trajectory if we are to achieve sustainable development. Therefore, there is a need to clean up and chart a proper course for rebuilding the nation.

“I acknowledge that changing the status quo requires difficult decisions and changes, which inevitably come with hard outcomes. However, I am confident that this is a passing phase and our policies and actions as an administration will soon bring relief.”

The President thanked the Supreme Court for consistently upholding good governance and the tenets of democracy in Nigeria, citing the recent verdict of the highest court granting financial autonomy to local government councils.

The judgment, he noted, “will spur much-desired development at the grassroots level,” adding that he is confident “more strategic and reform-oriented legal interventions will be achieved” by the judiciary.

Regarding the executive arm, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to making the welfare of the judiciary a top priority.

He stated: “I want to assure the learned members of the Bench and the Bar that this government will continue to prioritize the welfare of the judiciary to ease avoidable burdens on their Lordships and speed up the adjudicatory process, which is essential for social order and economic development.

“It is, therefore, my fervent expectation that the NBA will provide the appropriate legal guidance for all persons, governments, and businesses towards rebuilding our dear nation.”

He outlined efforts by his administration to reform the judiciary, including signing the Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Act 2024, which led to a 300% increase in the remuneration of judicial officers, and ensuring the full complement of Justices of the Supreme Court.

The President also disclosed that his administration “is working on constructing a permanent and befitting edifice for the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.”

“Furthermore, provisions are being made to provide conducive accommodation for federal judicial officers within the Federal Capital Territory. All these are part of measures to boost the independence, welfare, and capacity of the judiciary,” he added.

President Tinubu applauded the theme, “Pressing Forward: A National Posture for Rebuilding Nigeria,” chosen by the NBA for this year’s annual conference, and commended the Association for being “at the forefront of initiating and driving reforms to stimulate economic growth and development.”

On her part, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, emphasized the need for efforts towards accelerating growth and development, stating that Nigeria has all it takes to succeed.

In her keynote address titled, “A Social Contract for Nigeria’s Future,” the former Nigerian Finance Minister and the first woman and first African to lead the WTO regretted that Nigeria is not progressing as much as it should, despite being over 60 years old.

“Strong macroeconomic reforms are something we need in Nigeria. Oil has dominated Nigerian exports, but we must diversify to agricultural and solid minerals exports,” she added.

Lamenting the lack of policy consistency, which, according to her, has also affected the nation’s growth, the WTO DG said that to minimize the volatility of inconsistent policies, Nigeria needs a social contract, stressing that achieving a social contract involves ensuring the security of lives and national assets.

She said an organization like the NBA has a role in achieving a social contract.

“We need a new social contract to achieve growth in our country. My conviction on the need for a social contract is based on the need to tolerate different political parties and past administrations that preceded any administration in power,” Dr. Okonjo-Iweala noted.

For his part, the host Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, maintained that the security of lives and property is one of the cardinal points of the social contract.

Urging the judiciary to strengthen the nation’s electoral process, he assured that Lagos State is ready to uphold the social contract, noting that for five years, he has not taken a kobo from the local government treasury.

“And we have demonstrated that even in the legal profession that you all are part of, we have more women in our judiciary consistently than any other part of the country, and we have kept faith in that,” Sanwo-Olu added.

Earlier in his welcome address, President of the NBA, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), assured that the bar will continue to work for the cause of justice in Nigeria, adding that the respect the bar has is a symbol of freedom in the country.

“The bar is represented primarily by the need to serve justice to the people. Our existence as a people is intricately connected to our responsibility as the defenders of the people,” he said.

Mr. Maikyau urged lawyers to ensure that they discharge their duties to the people of Nigeria with determination like the resilience of an eagle and eschew corruption at all levels.

The occasion also featured the launch of a book titled, “History of the Nigerian Bar Association,” written by Nigerian lawyer Olanrewaju Akinsola.

Other dignitaries present at the event included Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem; the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ọjájá II); and representatives of the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, among others.