The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for celebrating the commissioning of residential quarters for judges, describing the ruling party’s actions as inappropriate and harmful to public confidence in the independence of the judiciary.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said while judges deserve decent housing, security and improved welfare, such provisions are constitutional responsibilities of government and should not be portrayed as personal achievements or favours from political officeholders.
According to the ADC, the controversy is not about the construction of the housing project itself but the manner in which it has been presented by the ruling party. The party argued that public officials should not receive personal acclaim for projects funded with taxpayers’ money and executed as part of government obligations.
The ADC maintained that portraying President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as benefactors of the judiciary creates a perception that judges’ welfare depends on executive goodwill rather than constitutional entitlement.
The opposition party warned that such narratives could blur the boundaries between the executive and judicial arms of government and raise concerns about the principle of separation of powers, which is fundamental to democratic governance.
The statement further argued that in constitutional democracies, judicial welfare should never be publicly framed as a favour granted by political leaders whose policies and actions may later be challenged in court.
ADC also faulted the APC’s characterisation of the housing project as an effort to strengthen judicial independence, insisting that genuine judicial autonomy is measured by institutional and financial independence, security of tenure, freedom from political interference, and public confidence in the impartiality of the courts.
The party expressed concern that the celebration of the project could reinforce existing public perceptions about undue executive influence over the judiciary, particularly at a time when courts continue to adjudicate election disputes, constitutional matters and cases involving high-ranking government officials.
It stated that political leaders should exercise caution and restraint in matters involving the judiciary to avoid creating the impression that judges owe gratitude to the executive arm of government.
Describing the APC’s actions as a partisan public relations exercise, the ADC said the move risks undermining public trust in the neutrality and independence of the courts.
The party concluded by reiterating its position that public institutions should not be transformed into instruments of political patronage, warning that any action capable of weakening the perception of judicial independence poses a threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
