These are the same judges who will preside over decisions as to who gets to be on the ballot or gets excluded from it. They will also sit on the election petition tribunals to pick winners and losers from among those whom they allow to get on the ballot,” he wrote....WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
In his post, Odinkalu argued that judges in Nigeria are no longer neutral observers, noting that recent actions suggest they are becoming active participants in the political process, according to him, this development is troubling, especially at a time when critical decisions about electoral participation and disputes are being made.
Odinkalu pointed to alleged actions by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, claiming that houses are being built and allocated to judges of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, he suggested that such gestures, particularly during an election period, raise serious ethical and constitutional concerns.
He warned that these same judges would eventually preside over key rulings, including decisions on who qualifies to appear on the ballot and who does not, he added that they may also serve on election petition tribunals, where they would determine winners and losers among candidates whose eligibility they had earlier influenced.
Citing arguments made by Ochojila Ameh in The Guardian Nigeria, Odinkalu stated that executive-funded welfare for judges, especially in politically sensitive periods, naturally invites public scrutiny, he said it raises deeper questions about institutional independence and whether true judicial neutrality can coexist with perceived executive influence.
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