Controversy over Mary Odili’s speech as LP says it’s ‘dangerous’ to Nigeria’s democratic journey

The Labour Party (LP) says the speech delivered by Mary Peter-Odili, a retired justice of the supreme court, at a public event last Friday is dangerous to the democratic journey of the nation.

During a colloquium organised in Abuja to mark the 25th anniversary of Joe Gadzama as a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Odili had warned against fanning the embers of hatred, tribalism and bigotry. 

At the event, she also described Wole Olanipekun, President Bola Tinubu’s counsel at the election tribunal and Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, as “masters” and “experts”.

Olanipekun and Fagbemi were among the audience at the event.

Her remarks had elicited mixed reactions on social media platforms.

Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election is being challenged by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the LP.

Some had accused the retired justice of taking sides with her speech, as the presidential election tribunal prepares to deliver judgment on Wednesday.

Reacting, the LP in a statement on Tuesday by Obiora Ifoh, its national publicity secretary, said the comments made by the former justice of the supreme court has left the party in shock.

“It has become necessary for the Labour Party to draw the attention of the public and indeed democratic watchers to some unfolding developments in the country ahead of tomorrow’s ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC,” the statement reads.

“The unguarded statement from the former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Mary Odili in Abuja last week at a colloquium to mark the 25th anniversary of the elevation of a renowned jurist, JK Gadzama to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and the boasting of some persons, serving Ministers and notable legislators about the outcome has left our party in shock.

“When those who should know the importance of the sanctity of the judiciary descend to the arena of abusing it with their preemptive utterances just to show loyalty and support to their interests, we as a party see this as unfortunate and dangerous to our democratic journey as a nation.

“We note also the needless lavish showering of praises on the legal counsels of both APC and Candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the retired Justice when the gathering was not theirs.

“We find this extremely undignified of a renowned jurist who rose to the peak of her career in the country’s Apex court and who as the Chairperson of the body of benchers, should be at the forefront of defending the virtuousness of the courts.”

The LP called on Nigerians to remain peaceful, noting that without the rule of law, there will be no progress in the country.

“Meanwhile, we implore Nigerians to remain calm and peaceful, abide by the rule of law, and understand that this matter has not reached its logical and final conclusion,” the party added.

“Our concern as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s project especially the democratic evolution is that what is being destroyed with all these clever by half playing on people’s intelligence is Nigeria as a nation not necessarily an individual.

“Anybody who loves this country should appreciate the importance of due process and the rule of law because, without it, this country is going nowhere.”

‘UNPROVOKED VITUPERATIONS’

However, Felix Enebeli, spokesperson to Mary Peter-Odili, on Tuesday said the speech made by his principal was “mischievously” taken out of context.

He also blamed “some conflict entrepreneurs” and “persons determined to force her speech to fit jaundiced narratives and political nuances” for the perceived slant.

Enebeli said Odili acknowledged that the 2023 elections “generated a storm” and “advised all those who were not declared victorious in the elections to toe the line of legality.

He added that they should follow the rules of law in expressing their dissatisfaction through appropriate channels and not “pull down the roof of the nation”.