Judiciary is Our Democracy’s Major Challenge, not INEC, Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has opined that the biggest challenge to Nigeria’s democracy is the judiciary and not the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. 

Obi revealed this at the fifth memorial of the late Justice Anthony Aniagolu at Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu. According to him, justice in Nigeria is “commodified” and “goes to the highest bidder.”.

He stressed that while the judiciary today still boasts a few outstanding judges, there is an undeniable decline in our judicial system.

Nigeria faces a serious challenge, a weakening judiciary. Justice is becoming a matter of money, not merit, with rulings favouring those who can afford it most.

Many blame the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Nigeria's democratic struggles. However, the true culprit lies elsewhere: the judicial system. A strong, fair judiciary is essential for a healthy democracy and a thriving business environment.

Obi added, “A broken rule of law has devastating consequences. It leaves the weakest in our society most exposed, weakens the very foundations of our nation, and erodes trust in our institutions. The protection of human rights and national stability all crumble when the law loses its power.

“This is why the rule of law is our most precious, though invisible, treasure. We must constantly protect it and relentlessly pursue justice. It is the cornerstone of everything we hold dear.

“I emphasised the critical need to breathe new life into our judiciary. This means guaranteeing its independence and fostering a culture of strong character, competence, and unwavering integrity among our judges and, crucially, within our political leaders. Only then can we ensure justice and fairness become the bedrock of a better Nigeria for all,” Obi asserted.