President Tinubu Commits To Upholding Rule Of Law, Separation Of Powers, Tolerance Of Dissent

President Bola Tinubu vowed to uphold the rule of law, respect the separation of powers, and allow differing opinions, as long as they were within the purview of Nigerian laws, adding that this commitment was why his administration has been steadily improving the nation.

Speaking during the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos on Sunday, the president acknowledged the association's sterling history of championing democratic ideals, as well as promoting the rule of law.

"Let me reassure you all that this administration will continue to promote the rule of law, adherence to the principles of separation of powers and tolerance of dissent within the bounds of the law," the president said, as per the State House website.

The president urged Nigerian lawyers and citizens to support his administration in building the Nigeria they all aspire to. He emphasized that the country cannot continue with past practices if it wanted to achieve lasting development.

He assured that, although making tough changes will be challenging, his administration's policies and actions will soon bring positive results and relief to Nigerians.

Tinubu acknowledged that changing the current situation involved making tough decisions and facing challenges. However, he said he was confident that these difficulties were temporary and that his administration's policies will soon bring positive changes and relief to Nigerians.

The president thanked the Supreme Court for supporting good governance and democracy in Nigeria, particularly for its recent decision to grant financial autonomy to local government councils.

He noted that this ruling will encourage important developments at the grassroots level, and expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will continue to make strategic legal changes that support reforms.

"I want to assure the Learned members of the Bench and the Bar that this government will continue to accord top priority to the welfare of the judiciary to ease avoidable burden on their Lordships and speed up the adjudicatory process which is a sine qua non for social order and economic development," he said.

"It is, therefore, my fervent expectation that the NBA would provide the appropriate legal compass for all persons, government, and businesses towards rebuilding our dear nation."

Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who also attended the conference, said there must be efforts to ensure the growth and development of any country and stated that Nigeria has everything required to succeed.

Okonjo-Iweala emphasized that Nigeria needed strong macroeconomic reforms. While oil has been the main export, the country should diversify into agriculture and solid minerals. She also noted that inconsistent policies have hindered national growth.