Former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami (rtd), has stirred fresh controversy over Nigeria’s judicial system, declaring that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, ought not to have been allowed to contest the 2023 presidential election under the platform of the Labour Party.
Justice Salami made the remarks on Tuesday in Ilorin during a courtesy visit by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), where he was honoured with an award for his contributions to the legal profession and judicial integrity.
The award was presented by WSCIJ founder, Dapo Olorunyomi, alongside its Executive Director, Motunrayo Alaka, at the retired jurist’s residence.
Speaking candidly, Salami argued that Obi’s candidacy contravened constitutional provisions, stressing that the absence of independent candidacy in Nigeria raises questions about his eligibility under the Labour Party.
“Peter Obi ought not be allowed to contest the 2023 presidential election,” Salami stated.
“By the time he lost the PDP primary, the Labour Party had already submitted its list of members to INEC. The Constitution does not allow independent candidacy.”
The retired justice extended his criticism to the case of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, who emerged under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
According to Salami, Yusuf’s name was not in the party’s official register, describing the issuance of a membership card without proper documentation as irregular.
He noted that while lower courts raised concerns, the Supreme Court upheld the outcome — a decision he attributed to lapses in judicial competence.
In a sweeping critique of the judiciary, Salami lamented what he described as declining standards in judicial appointments, pointing to systemic issues affecting the quality of judgments.
“There are a few bad eggs… some have problems with learning. They lack the background to be judges,” he said.
He decried the appointment of individuals with insufficient legal experience, noting that in the past, such practices would have been unthinkable. According to him, the proliferation of law faculties and population pressures may have contributed to the decline in quality.
Salami further expressed concern over what he termed “astonishing” judgments, including at the Supreme Court level, warning that merit is increasingly being sidelined for considerations such as regional representation.
The retired jurist also criticised the promotion process within the judiciary, revealing that less experienced judges are sometimes elevated over their seniors due to zoning considerations.
“People get to the Supreme Court not because they are the best, but because there is a vacancy from their zone,” he said.
Citing personal experience, Salami disclosed that some judges he had mentored and who joined the bench years after him were elevated ahead of him due to the absence of vacancies in his geopolitical zone.
Despite his concerns, Salami expressed optimism that the system could still be corrected over time through reforms that prioritise merit, competence, and judicial excellence.
