#AllEyesOnTheJudiciary Is One of the Best Things to Happen to the Judiciary — Dr. Obi Ezekwesili

A former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has said that the trending social media campaign, #AllEyesOnTheJudiciary, is one of the best things to happen to the Nigerian judiciary in recent times. According to her, the judiciary, like the other two arms of government, always needs citizens to demand probity for its huge responsibility. 

The social justice crusader, who was a co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign for the release of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls from Boko Haram captivity, said this in reaction to the controversies surrounding the campaign.

She also noted that the campaign is a clear message to the judiciary by citizens “who understand the importance of their country joining the league of countries that have through uncompromising adherence to democratic processes, built lasting institutions required for development.”

The #AllEyesOnTheJudiciary campaign seeks to hold the judiciary, especially the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), to account in the event of a miscarriage of justice in the petitions before it. 

Understandably, the campaign has generated a lot of controversies, with some Nigerians, especially members of the ruling APC and their supporters, insisting that it aims at browbeating the tribunal to give judgment in favour of the opposition. The controversies were escalated even further earlier this week with the decision of the federal government, through the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), to dissolve the secretariat of the Advertising Standard Panel (ASP) for approving the billboard adverts with the inscription, ‘All Eyes on The Judiciary.’ 

Many argued then the government’s action was undemocratic and totalitarian. Some, however, said the government was right in the action.

Just like opinions were divided over the government’s decision, those who reacted to Dr. Ezekwesili’s tweet equally had divided opinions about it. 

However, a few persons took sides with the government, arguing that those behind the advert in question crossed the line by attempting to pressure the PEPT to subvert justice in their favour. 

Read some selected reactions here:

What do you think of the government’s action?

Ifyafrica (
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