March 24, (THEWILL) — Former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami (retd), has criticised aspects of Nigeria’s judicial handling of the 2023 general elections, raising concerns over what he described as questionable decisions and declining standards on the bench.
Salami, who spoke on Tuesday in Ilorin (the Kwara State capital), questioned the participation of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, in the presidential election under the Labour Party, as well as the emergence of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf.
The retired jurist made the remarks during a courtesy visit and award presentation by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) at his residence.
According to him, “there are a few bad eggs amongst some judges,” though he clarified that the problem is largely one of capacity, adding that “some of them have a problem with learning” and “don’t have a good background to be judges.”
He argued that Peter Obi’s candidacy under the Labour Party raised constitutional concerns, stating: “Peter Obi ought not be allowed to contest the 2023 presidential election… by the time he lost the PDP primary, LP had submitted its list of members to INEC.”
Salami further questioned the legal basis of the candidacy, adding: “The Constitution says there cannot be an independent candidacy, so how did he become a candidate of the LP if he does not belong to the LP?”
On the Kano situation, he said: “The same thing happened to the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf… his name is not in the party register, but they issued him a membership card, and the register is supposed to be the mother of the card.”
He expressed surprise at the position of the apex court in the matter, noting: “The Supreme Court countenanced it, even though the tribunal and Appeal Court frowned at it. That is the problem of competence.”
The former appellate court president attributed such outcomes to what he described as “inadequacy” among some judges, stressing that “personally, they are inadequate,” and that this “might be responsible for their wrong judgments.”
He added that, “at times, if you see the judgments of some of them, even the Supreme Court judgments, you will be astounded and wonder at what is happening.”
Salami also criticised the process of judicial appointments, warning against lowering standards. “Imagine appointing a higher registrar as a judge. He has no experience. In the past, this would not have happened,” he said.
He linked the development partly to systemic expansion, explaining: “Maybe due to population explosion, we have everybody reading law… all these may be responsible, not because they are dishonest.”
The retired jurist further faulted the role of zoning in promotions, stating: “People get to the Supreme Court not because they are good but because there is a vacancy from their zones.”
Drawing from personal experience, he said: “Some of them who came ten years after I had got to the Court of Appeal were recommended to the Supreme Court… because my zone did not have a vacancy. That is the tragedy we have found ourselves in.”
He, however, expressed optimism that reforms would improve the system, adding: “We hope that with time, everything will be corrected.”
At the event, the WSCIJ honoured Salami for his contributions to the judiciary. The award was presented by its founder, Dapo Olorunyomi, and Executive Director, Motunrayo Alaka.
Responding, Salami said: “I am very happy to receive the award. I hope and pray that your organisation will flourish,” noting that such recognition encourages excellence in public service.
He also acknowledged the influence of Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, as well as late statesman, Obafemi Awolowo, on his career, particularly his decision to study law and his enduring commitment to justice.
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