By Ken Afor
A former Governor of Anambra State and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi has lashed out at Nigeria’s judicial system, labeling it the “biggest threat” to the nation’s democracy.
Speaking during the fifth memorial of late Justice Anthony Aniagolu at the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu state, Obi did not mince words, accusing the judiciary of being compromised and beholden to the highest bidder. “Justice is increasingly commodified and delivered in favor of the highest bidder,” he stated bluntly.
The LP leader argued that while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is often blamed for electoral issues, the root of the problem lies with the courts. “INEC is not the problem. Instead, the judiciary is. The judiciary is the biggest threat to Nigeria,” Obi asserted.
The New Diplomat reports that in one of his strongest indictments, Obi declared: “Nigeria has become a country where anything goes. There is no rule of law and almost no judiciary. Because the judiciary has become commercialized and depends on how much one pays, it has become difficult to get true justice.”
The former governor urged citizens to prioritize the pursuit of justice above all else, stating “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.”
He painted a grim picture of a nation where the rule of law has crumbled, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable segments of society. “When the rule of law is compromised, the fabric of our society begins to fray,” Obi warned.
The former governor called for sweeping reforms to revitalize the judicial branch, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard its independence and promote values like character, competence, and integrity among jurists and political leaders.
“We must prioritize the pursuit of justice above all else,” Obi implored, framing an effective judiciary as integral to Nigeria’s economic prosperity and societal well-being.
