Pro APC group tells Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola to resign immediately

The calls for the resignation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, have intensified as another group, Arewa groups, have joined the fray. The Arewa groups have asked the CJN to resign before the 2023 elections, citing his perceived alignment with some PDP governors.

The groups, numbering 52, made their demand in a statement signed by their national coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, who noted that the CJN’s perceived gaffe had confirmed the assertion that some judges were no better than politicians in black robes.

The Arewa groups join the Progressive Minds Forum (PMF) which had earlier called for the CJN’s resignation over alleged compromised judgements that recently emanated from the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The Forum had also lamented that the award of Senatorial tickets to Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Senator Godswill Akpabio by the apex court was a great embarrassment to Nigeria because they did not partake in the primary election of the All Progressives Congress won by the original holders of the tickets.

The Forum also insisted that Supreme Court’s ruling to extend the use of old Naira notes was not done in the interest of Nigerians but to please and aid certain political forces from the South-west who have been clamouring for the extension because the CJN is from the South-west.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) had also marched on the National Assembly in protest against what they described as the seeming partisanship of the CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. They also demanded his immediate resignation or outright sack.

Another group of protesters had stormed the premises of the ministry of justice on Tuesday, November 29, seeking the removal of Ariwoola. The protesters were, however, dispersed forcefully by men of the Nigeria Police Force.

The calls for the resignation of the CJN have become more intense as more groups join the fray. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the demands of the various groups.