Former Appeal Court President Questions Peter Obi's 2023 Eligibility
Justice Ayo Salami, a revered retired President of the Court of Appeal, has ignited a fresh round of discussions regarding the legitimacy of the 2023 presidential election. Speaking to journalists from his Ilorin residence in Kwara State, Justice Salami asserted that Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, ought not to have been permitted to contest under the party's banner.
Salami's core argument hinges on the timing of Obi's defection and subsequent candidacy. He explained that by the time Obi exited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary, the Labour Party had already submitted its official list of members to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to the retired jurist, this sequence created a fundamental constitutional barrier to Obi's eligibility.
"Peter Obi of the Labour Party ought not to have been allowed to contest in the presidential election in the sense that by the time he left the PDP primary, the Labour Party had submitted its list of members to INEC. The constitution says there can’t be independent candidates. How did he become a candidate if he doesn’t belong to the Labour Party?" Salami questioned during his briefing.
He drew a direct parallel to a similar scenario involving the Governor of Kano State, who also faced scrutiny regarding party registration after defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Salami noted that the Governor's name was reportedly not on the NNPP register, despite being issued a membership card, highlighting what he called a 'problem of competence' that tribunals and appeal courts had addressed.
Retired Jurist Slams Judicial Incompetence and 'Wrong Verdicts'
Beyond the specifics of political candidacy, Justice Salami also voiced strong criticisms concerning the performance of certain members of the judiciary. He attributed what he described as 'wrong verdicts' to a pervasive issue of incompetence among some judges, raising concerns about the standards of justice delivery.
Factors Contributing to Incompetence, According to Salami:
Insufficient Training: Many judges, in his view, exhibit problems with learning and are not adequately prepared or trained for the rigorous demands of their judicial roles.
Poor Background: A lack of a solid foundational background in legal principles, practice, and jurisprudence can significantly hinder their effectiveness and judgment.
Questionable Appointments: Salami critically pointed to the practice of appointing individuals like 'higher registrars' as judges, suggesting that such appointments contribute to a dilution of overall judicial quality and expertise.
The veteran judge clarified that his critique was not necessarily aimed at dishonesty or allegations of bribery, but rather at personal inadequacy within the system. "All this may be responsible, not because they are dishonest or they take bribes or they are influenced. But maybe personally, they are inadequate. And that may be responsible for their wrong judgment," he stated.
Salami concluded by expressing profound astonishment at some judicial pronouncements, even from the nation's highest court. "At times when you see or read judgment of some of them, even the Supreme Court judgment, you would be astounded and wonder what is happening," he lamented, underscoring his deep concern for the state of judicial integrity and competence in Nigeria.