The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, has stated that the judiciary poses the greatest threat to Nigerian democracy.
Obi declared that the judiciary has declined and emphasised that the Independent National Electoral Commission which is the body in charge of conducting elections—is not the nation’s problem.
This was disclosed by the former governor of Anambra State at the Godfrey Okoye University in Enugu during the late Justice Anthony Aniagolu’s fifth memorial. Dr
He said: “While the judiciary, today, still boasts of a few outstanding judges, there is an undeniable decline in our judicial system. This decline poses a significant threat to the future of Nigeria. Justice is increasingly commodified, and delivered in favour of the highest bidder.”
“Whenever democracy is discussed, fingers point to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the problem. But INEC is not the problem. Instead, the judiciary is. The judiciary is the biggest threat to Nigeria. If our judiciary is effective, our businesses will thrive.”
Also speaking on the issue of rule of law in the country, he said:
“The rule of law is the highest intangible and most valuable asset of any society. And we must work tirelessly to protect and preserve it. We must prioritise the pursuit of justice above all else.“
“I emphasised the urgent need to revitalise our judicial system by safeguarding its independence and promoting the values of character, competence, capability, compassion, and integrity among our jurists, as well as within our political leadership.“
“By doing so, we can ensure justice and fairness prevail as we endeavour to build a better Nigeria for all.“
“Nigeria has become a country where anything goes. There is no rule of law and almost no judiciary. Everybody could be pushed down because there is no rule of law.“
