Sources in political circles confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that the forces had all along followed the career progression of Mukhtar since her days in the service of Kano State judiciary.
It was learnt that one of the perceived “sins” of the new CJN was that she is a single mother, who had issue from a non-northerner.
According to sources, there were strident moves aimed at lobbying the president to sideline her and possibly pick the next person in line.
“We do not know why she was being strongly opposed, but I can confirm to you that the president’s insistence on merit and competence worked in her favour,” a source in the know told the Nigerian Tribune.
It was learnt that those opposed to Mukhtar’s rise to the pinnacle of her career had been after her for a long time now.
She was said to be senior of the immediate past CJN, Dahiru Musdapher, in the old Kano State judiciary, having joined service some six months before the retired CJN, though she was younger in age, but was sidelined when it was time to appoint the Chief Judge of the state.
Sources said that the forces were against a woman heading the state judiciary at the time.
It was learnt that Mukhtar was then asked to transfer her service to the Court of Appeal where she served for 17 years.
“I am sure that on record, she remains the longest serving justice of the Court of Appeal but it would interest you that she didn’t become the President of the Court of Appeal,” another source said.
It was gathered that she was kept at the Court of Appeal as one president emerged after the other in that court.
A source said when it became obvious that she might emerge the president of the court, some forces later engineered her promotion to the Supreme Court, where she had to mark time until now.
It was also gathered that President Jonathan had to fight off lots of pressure in the bid to naming Mukhtar the new CJN.
A source said along the line, when her name came up, moves were made to move the new CJN to become the full time Chief Justice of the Republic of Gambia.
The source further said President Jonathan resisted the ploy and insisted on merit in making the appointment.
During her inauguration as CJN on Monday, President Jonathan noted that Justice Mukhtar had been a trailblazer in her career.
Besides, the fact that she is a woman also worked in her favour, as her appointment would enable the president to make history as making the first woman CJN.
The president, on Monday, said “Your Lordships, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, there is the hand of destiny in the life of this distinguished Jurist.
“From the records, Her Lordship has always been a trailblazer in her judicial journey. She was the first female lawyer of northern extraction; the first female High Court Judge from the North; first female second in command in Kano State judiciary; the first Nigerian female jurist to be elevated to the Court of Appeal, where she served for over 17 years.
“Today, she has risen to the pinnacle of her judicial career as the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria in further service of our great country.”
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