The Labour Party (LP) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais, describing him as a towering figure of integrity and a champion of democratic reform.
In a statement on Saturday, Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, praised Justice Uwais’ principled leadership, noting his immense contributions to Nigeria’s judiciary and electoral system.
“Justice Uwais was a beacon of integrity and an elder statesman whose impact will be felt for generations. His death is a significant loss to Nigeria,” she said.
Senator Usman called on the Federal Government to honour the late jurist’s legacy by implementing the recommendations of the 2008 Electoral Reform Committee, which Uwais chaired at the behest of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
“To truly immortalize Justice Uwais’ contributions to the nation,” she stated, “the government must act on the report’s recommendations, which provide a clear blueprint for credible, transparent, and inclusive elections.”
The Electoral Reform Report proposed critical reforms, including:
- Transfer of INEC appointments to the National Judicial Council (NJC)
- Senate confirmation after NJC nomination
- Unbundling INEC into specialized commissions
- Legal recognition of independent candidacy
- Timely adjudication of electoral disputes
Despite the widespread acclaim for its recommendations, most remain unimplemented.
Offering prayers for the late jurist, Usman said:
“May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and comfort his family and the nation.”
Justice Mohammed Uwais, who served as CJN from 1995 to 2006, died early Friday at the age of 88.
