By GBENGA OLARINOYE
OSOGBO — ACTION Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South-West, yesterday, traded words over the refusal of President Goodluck Jonathan to reinstate Justice Ayo Salami as the President of the Court of Appeal after recommendations by the National Judicial Council, NJC.

ACN described the refusal of Jonathan to reinstate Salami many days after NJC’s recommendation as unfair, saying the President had shown partisanship on the issue, PDP challenged ACN to tell Nigerians whether or not Salami is a member of the party, ACN.

ACN speaks

Speaking through its Osun State Chapter, in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy,  Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, ACN  said: “The unfolding manipulation of court process to prevent justice on the matter will backfire in a tragic way for the country’s judiciary and the administration of justice.

‘We do not think it augurs well for the country’s democracy and those who are watching us from outside this country will be disappointed that hope for the rule of law to be entrenched in Nigeria is fast fading with violence on the increase and poverty becoming endemic, because of corruption. Now injustice is also taking hold.

”ACN is worried that Mr President seems to be acting like somebody who has forgotten history. Those who had toyed with justice and democratic norms in Nigeria some 50 years ago paid dearly for it. If care is not taken, the events of 1962 and 1966 are about to repeat themselves.”

PDP reacts

Reacting, PDP said ACN and its “allies’ continuous attack on President  Jonathan and other notable individuals and institutions in the country over the suspension of Justice Salami is a confirmation that the ACN has interests different from the sanctity and uphold of the rule of law in the country.”

Speaking through its Zonal Publicity Secretary,  Mr. Kayode Babade, PDP said it was funny that the same ACN that kept silent when one of its governors, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State refused to swear in two people recommended for appointment as judges by NJC was the one attacking the President for choosing to toe the line of rule of law on the issue of Justice

Salami.

“The questions Nigerians must now begin to ask these ACN people are what their interest is in the Justice Salami issue? Why is it that they are the ones defending the suspended judge, organising protests and mobilising media support for him? Isn’t it now clear that Justice Salami actually sold Ekiti and Osun states to ACN and the party is now paying him back by standing by

him during his travail? Moreso that the travail was occasioned by the ignoble role he played on the two controversial judgments?”

“Perhaps, Justice Salami is actually ACN Deputy National Chairman (Judiciary) as now being said by members of the public, and the  ACN people should be bold enough to unveil his (Salami) membership status in the party.”