A former President of the Court of Appeal, Ayo Isa Salami, has criticised the judicial process that allowed Peter Obi to contest in the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, describing it as a product of flawed judgment.
Salami argued that Obi should not have been eligible to run, noting that the Labour Party had already submitted its membership list to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the former Anambra State governor joined the party.
He made these remarks while speaking with journalists after receiving the 2025 Human Rights Defender Award at the 20th anniversary of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).
According to the retired jurist, the issue reflects deeper concerns within Nigeria’s judiciary, particularly regarding the competence and training of some judges.
Salami explained that while corruption is not always the problem, inadequate legal knowledge and poor training among some judicial officers can result in questionable rulings.
He said, “Some judges are not necessarily corrupt, but they may lack sufficient training or the proper background required for such critical roles. This sometimes leads to flawed judgments that raise serious concerns.”
Using Obi’s candidacy as an example, Salami maintained that Nigeria’s constitution does not recognise independent candidates, stressing that Obi’s eligibility was questionable since he was not originally listed as a member of the Labour Party when submissions were made to INEC.
He also cited a similar case involving a former Kano State governor, pointing out inconsistencies in party membership documentation and judicial interpretations.
Beyond the issue of electoral disputes, Salami expressed concern over the process of judicial appointments, suggesting that some individuals rise to the Supreme Court not strictly based on merit, but due to regional considerations and available vacancies.
Reflecting on his personal journey into law, Salami credited the late nationalist leader, Obafemi Awolowo, as a major influence. He recounted how Awolowo’s courage in defending himself during a political crisis inspired him to abandon his initial plans to study agriculture and pursue a career in law.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of WSCIJ, Dapo Olorunyomi, described Salami as a jurist of exceptional integrity, known for his courage, independence, and commitment to justice.
Olorunyomi noted that Salami’s decades-long career—from State Counsel to President of the Court of Appeal—earned him a reputation for upholding the rule of law and delivering bold judgments.
He added that the decision to honour Salami was based on his unwavering dedication to fairness, judicial integrity, and excellence in Nigeria’s legal system.
