Judiciary Is Nigeria’s Biggest Democratic Problem, Not INEC — Peter Obi

Enugu, Nigeria – In a fiery speech at the fifth memorial of late Justice Anthony Aniagolu at Godfrey Okoye University, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s judiciary.

Obi, who ran in the 2023 election, declared that the nation’s biggest democratic threat is not the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but a corrupt judicial system.

“Justice in Nigeria goes to the highest bidder,” Obi charged, painting a grim picture of a judiciary plagued by commodification and compromised integrity. “While we still have a few outstanding judges, the overall decline is undeniable and poses a significant threat to our future.”

Obi’s comments highlight a growing concern about the erosion of the rule of law in Nigeria. “Whenever democracy is discussed, fingers point to INEC as the problem. But the real menace is the judiciary. An ineffective judiciary means our businesses cannot thrive, and the most vulnerable in our society suffer the most.”

He emphasized that the integrity of Nigeria’s institutions, human rights protection, and national stability are all at risk due to a compromised judicial system. “The rule of law is our most valuable asset, and we must work tirelessly to protect and preserve it,” Obi urged.

Calling for an urgent revitalization of the judicial system, Obi stressed the need for independence and the promotion of values like character, competence, capability, compassion, and integrity among jurists and political leaders. “Nigeria has become a country where anything goes, and without a functioning judiciary, society suffers immensely.”