Moses Ofodeme
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has highlighted the importance of equitable, just and fair administration of justice as a condition for the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
He made the declaration at the 2026 annual national conference of Egbe Amofin Oodua held at Ile Ife where he tasked judicial stakeholders to uphold rule of law and ethical conduct on both the bar and the bench.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, the governor recalls the current challenges facing the democratic process and concludes that the survival of the democratic process can be further enhanced when judicial officials and legal practitioners uphold the ethics of profession.
The Governor spoke further in the keynote address: “The legal profession occupies a unique position in every democratic society because it serves as the bridge between power and justice, between authority and accountability and between the government and the governed.
“The theme of this conference, “Advancing Constitutional Democracy, Accountability and Responsible Governance: The Role of Law” goes to the heart of the challenges confronting our nation and indeed, every democratic society.
“Enduring democracy can only flourish where the rule of law reigns supreme. No society can attain sustainable peace, development or prosperity where laws are applied selectively, justice delayed or where citizens lose confidence in the institutions established to protect their rights.
“The Constitution remains the supreme expression of the collective will of the people. Institutions of Government, public office holders and the citizens are subject to its provisions. The strength of our democracy therefore lies not merely in the existence of laws but in our willingness to obey them and our determination to enforce them fairly and impartially.
“The judiciary has rightly been described as the last hope of the common man. However, for the judiciary to remain the hope of the ordinary citizen, its decisions and processes must continually inspire public confidence. The strength of the courts lies not in physical force but in the trust and credibility they command among the people.
“Our judges must therefore continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity, independence, courage and impartiality. They must remain guided solely by the law, the facts before them and the dictates of justice.
“Similarly, legal practitioners must see themselves not merely as advocates for clients but as ministers in the temple of justice whose ultimate responsibility is the preservation of the legal system and the advancement of justice.
“As a society, we must continue to insist on accountability within our justice system. Every perception of bias, favouritism, corruption, undue influence or sentiment in the administration of justice weakens public trust and diminishes the moral authority of the courts.
“Our nation cannot afford a situation where citizens continue to doubt the capacity of the legal system to protect their rights or resolve disputes fairly. Public confidence in the judiciary is one of the most valuable assets of any democracy and must be protected at all costs”, the Governor posited.
Adeleke said the issue of judicial transparency has even become more critical in our electoral and democratic processes, noting that “judicial interventions in electoral matters must continue to be guided by law, evidence, fairness and constitutional principles.
“The confidence of citizens in democratic governance depends substantially on their confidence in the institutions responsible for interpreting and applying the law. When justice is seen to be fair, transparent and impartial, democracy is strengthened. When judicial outcomes inspire confidence, political stability is enhanced and national unity is reinforced”, the governor said in his keynote address.
He urged all stakeholders to remain committed to lawful conduct, democratic values and peaceful engagement, advising that “political competition should never undermine respect for the law or the integrity of our institutions”.