A former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami (retd), has stirred fresh controversy over Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election by questioning the legitimacy of Peter Obi’s candidacy under the Labour Party.
Speaking in Ilorin, Salami argued that Obi should not have been eligible to contest the election, claiming that the Labour Party had already submitted its membership list to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before Obi defected from the Peoples Democratic Party. He stressed that Nigeria’s constitution does not permit independent candidacy, raising concerns about how Obi emerged as the party’s flagbearer.
The retired jurist blamed what he described as lapses within the judiciary for allowing such situations, noting that some judicial decisions stem from incompetence rather than deliberate misconduct. He expressed worry over the quality of judgments delivered in certain cases, suggesting that gaps in knowledge and training among some judges contribute to flawed rulings.
Salami also extended his criticism to the broader judicial system, faulting the process of appointing judges. According to him, appointments are sometimes influenced by factors such as regional considerations rather than merit, leading to questionable outcomes even at higher courts.
Despite his concerns, the former appeal court president expressed optimism that improvements could be made over time. His remarks have since reignited discussions around judicial competence and the legal framework guiding political participation in Nigeria.
