Ruling On Defected Lawmakers: We’ve Profound Respect For Judiciary – APC

APCThe All Progressives Congress (APC) last night reiterated its “profound respect” for the judiciary following its initial reaction to the judgment of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, which purportedly directed 37 members of the House of Representatives on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who defected to APC, to vacate their seats.

The opposition party said after obtaining the certified true copy of the judgment delivered by Justice Adeniyi Ademola on the case between the PDP and the defecting lawmakers, it found out that most of the statements credited to the judge by a section of the media were not contained therein.

A statement signed by APC Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed from London, the United Kingdom, said: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) has a most profound respect for all institutions especially the Judiciary. It is precisely because of this respect that we are always worried and concerned whenever we perceive anything capable of jeopardizing the integrity and independence of that great institution.

“The obiter credited to Justice Adeniyi Ademola advising the 37 defecting legislators to vacate their seats and the manner the judgment was reported by a large section of the media was alarming and capable of tarnishing the image of the Judiciary and that is why we expressed our strong disavowal and disappointment. We also want to put on record that we were not the only ones scandalised by this judgment.

“Happily whether it was as a result of the mass disavowal that trailed the judgment or by whatever strange coincidence when the enrolled order of this judgment was finally received by our counsel it did not contain any part of the offensive obiter advising the defecting legislators to vacate their seats.

“Once again we wish to reiterate our position that we have nothing but the most profound respect for the Judiciary.

“We however once again warn the PDP led Jonathan administration to stop compromising and destroying all our institutions.

“The humiliating treatment the former President of the Court of Appeal Justice Ayo Salami received in the hands of President Jonathan-led administration is still fresh in the minds of all Nigerians.

“Therefore if anyone is guilty of compromising, intimidating and humiliating the Judiciary, it is President PDP-led Administration”.