Posted on: 05:37 Sun, 24 Jan 2016



The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike
Ekweremadu, has said that no democracy in the
world could survive without strict adherence to
the rule of law.

This is contained in a statement signed by his
Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu
and issued to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.

According to the statement, Ekweremadu made
the remark at a dinner organised by the
International Law Institute (ILI), Washington DC,
for its alumni in Nigeria.

He noted that no country could experience
meaningful development without the rule of law.

He said: “Democracy becomes gravely
imperilled if the powers of the judiciary to
enforce compliance with the rule of law are
subjected to legal, extra-legal, and sociological
limitations.

“Our task as an emerging democracy is to
continue to build a society where government
agencies as well as individuals and private
entities must be subjected to and accountable
under the law.

“We must ensure that the process by which
laws are enacted, administered, and enforced is
accessible, fair and efficient.

“We must ensure that justice is delivered
according to established laws, timeously,
competently, ethically and independently.

“I hold the opinion and fervently so that the
principle of the rule of law is at the heart of the
survival of democracy.

“A democracy without the rule of law is like salt
that has lost its saltiness.’’

The Senator noted that the World Bank had
indicated that economic growth, political
modernisation, protection of human rights and
other worthy objectives, were hinged on the rule
of law.

He expressed concern that developing nations,
which were in dire need of development, lacked
the rule of law to a large extent.

He attributed the situation to lack of strong
democratic institutions, lack of independence of
the judiciary and political instability.

Ekweremadu assured that the National
Assembly would continue to partner ILI to build
the capacity of its members and parliamentary
staff.

The statement quoted Kim Phan, the Executive
Director of ILI, as expressing happiness with the
growth of democracy in Nigeria.

He also expressed joy with the opportunity the
institute had to be part of the country’s success
story.

He said that the institute was committed to the
growth of democracy and development of
Nigeria.