ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for celebrating the inauguration of residential quarters for judges in Abuja, describing the move as unethical and capable of eroding public confidence in the independence of the judiciary.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, argued that while judges deserve decent accommodation, security and welfare, such provisions are constitutional responsibilities of government and should not be portrayed as personal favours by elected officials.
The criticism followed the unveiling of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division Building Complex in Dakibiyu, Abuja, by President Bola Tinubu on Monday.
The project was presented as part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen the judiciary and improve its operational capacity.
The complex features two large courtrooms, eight smaller courtrooms, a library, 10 judges’ suites, three conference halls, administrative offices and other supporting facilities.
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Speaking at the event through Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu described the project as more than a physical structure, saying it reflected the administration’s commitment to providing a suitable environment for the rule of law to thrive.
Earlier, the APC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, praised both Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the project.
The ruling party said the development demonstrated Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and highlighted Wike’s leadership in delivering key infrastructure.
The ADC, however, maintained that neither the President nor the FCT minister should receive personal acclaim for projects funded with public resources.
According to the opposition party, APC’s celebration of the project creates the impression that judges depend on the goodwill of political office holders for their welfare rather than enjoying benefits guaranteed by the Constitution.
“What the APC has done, by awarding personal acclaim to both the President and his minister for building houses for judges, is to create the impression that the welfare of judges is subject to the whims and caprice of government officials or to executive benevolence,” the statement said.
The party insisted that in constitutional democracies founded on the principle of separation of powers, the judiciary should never be portrayed as a beneficiary of the generosity of political actors whose actions may later come before the courts for adjudication.
Abdullahi further described it as troubling that the ruling party appeared to present Tinubu and Wike as benefactors of the judiciary, arguing that such a narrative blurs the constitutional boundaries between the executive and judicial arms of government.
He warned that the development could reinforce public perceptions that the executive arm exerts undue influence over the judiciary.
“This action alone creates the unmistakable appearance that judicial welfare is dependent on executive benevolence rather than constitutional entitlement.
“It sends the wrong signal to Nigerians and inevitably raises legitimate concerns about the proper boundaries between the Executive and the Judiciary,” Abdullahi said.
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The ADC also rejected APC’s suggestion that the housing project would strengthen judicial independence.
According to the party, genuine judicial independence is measured by institutional autonomy, financial freedom, security of tenure and protection from political pressure, rather than by infrastructure projects commissioned by political office holders.
The opposition party urged public officials to exercise restraint when dealing with matters concerning the judiciary, particularly at a time when courts continue to hear election petitions, constitutional disputes and cases involving government officials.
It also accused the APC of turning a publicly funded project into a partisan public relations exercise, warning that such actions could damage public confidence in the neutrality of the courts.
“The ADC therefore views this partisan fanfare as a shameless assault on the spirit of separation of powers and an affront to the constitutional ideal of an independent judiciary,” the statement added.
The party therefore urged public institutions not to become instruments of political patronage or platforms for cultivating judicial gratitude.