A former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami (rtd), has questioned the eligibility of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, to contest the 2023 presidential election, attributing the development to what he described as judicial incompetence.
Salami made the remarks in Ilorin, Kwara State, during a courtesy visit and award presentation by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), led by its founder, Dapo Olorunyomi.
He alleged that shortcomings among some judges contributed to what he described as questionable judicial decisions.
“The inadequacy and incompetence of some judges are responsible for some of their wrong verdicts,” he said.
According to him, Obi should not have been allowed to contest the 2023 election under the Labour Party.
“For instance, Peter Obi ought not to have been allowed to contest the 2023 presidential election. By the time he left the PDP, the Labour Party had already submitted its list of members to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The Constitution does not recognise independent candidacy. How did he become a candidate of the Labour Party if he was not a member?” he queried.
Salami also raised similar concerns about Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, stating that he should not have been allowed to contest under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
“His name was not in the NNPP register, yet he was issued a membership card. The register is supposed to be the primary record,” he said.
The retired jurist criticised the process of judicial appointments, noting that some individuals rise to higher courts not necessarily on merit but due to regional considerations and vacancies.
“At times, if you see some judgments, even from the Supreme Court, you will be astonished. Some people get there not because they are the best, but because there are vacancies from their zones,” he said.
He added that some judges lack the necessary background and experience required for the role.
“Some of them have a problem of learning. They do not have a good background to be judges. In the past, such appointments would not happen,” he said.
Salami, however, expressed optimism that the system would improve over time.
Earlier, the WSCIJ honoured him for his contributions to the judiciary and commitment to justice.
Presenting the award, Olorunyomi described Salami as a jurist known for integrity, courage, and dedication to the rule of law.
He noted that Salami’s judicial career spanned decades, during which he earned a reputation for delivering courageous judgments and upholding judicial independence.
Salami, in his response, expressed appreciation for the recognition and encouraged the organisation to sustain its efforts.
Hammed Shittu
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