By Editor
A former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Salami (retd), has stirred fresh controversy by declaring that Peter Obi ought not to have contested the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking in Ilorin during a private engagement where he was honoured, the retired jurist questioned the legality of Obi’s emergence as the Labour Party candidate.
Salami argued that Obi’s move from the Peoples Democratic Party came after the Labour Party had already submitted its membership list to the electoral body.
According to him, this raised serious constitutional concerns, as Nigeria does not recognise independent candidacy.
He said the development reflected deeper issues within the country’s judicial system, particularly in how certain decisions are reached.
The former appellate court president pointed to what he described as growing incompetence among some judges, blaming weak legal foundations for controversial rulings.
He further noted that the process of appointing judges to higher courts sometimes prioritises regional balance over merit, allowing less experienced individuals to rise.
Salami insisted that such practices have contributed to conflicting judgments and legal inconsistencies in politically sensitive cases.
Drawing from past experiences, he maintained that Nigeria’s judiciary must return to strict standards to restore public confidence.
Despite his strong views, the retired jurist expressed optimism that reforms over time could correct the system and strengthen the rule of law.