Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, emphasized the critical role of the judiciary in upholding justice and democracy in Nigeria during the Justice Anthony Aniagolu’s Memorial Lecture in Enugu.
Speaking on the theme “The Judiciary and the Future of Nigeria,” Obi recounted his experience of winning an election in Anambra State, only to be initially declared the loser.
He spent three years in court and ultimately regained his mandate, thanks to the judiciary’s intervention.
Despite facing impeachment and subsequent re-elections, the judiciary consistently upheld the rule of law and reinstated him to office.
Obi lamented the current state of the judiciary, stating that the independence and integrity of judges have been compromised.
He stressed the importance of a strong judiciary in combating criminality and ensuring the rule of law, noting that a weak judiciary undermines democracy, businesses, and investments.
While acknowledging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not Nigeria’s problem, Obi emphasized that the judiciary, which people turn to for justice, is failing to uphold its mandate.
He called for a restoration of the judiciary’s independence to ensure a just and democratic society.
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