Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised concerns about the role of a few judges in overturning decisions made by millions of voters during elections. He described the concentration of power in the hands of a small number of judges as “totally unacceptable.” Obasanjo expressed his views in response to recent judgments by the Court of Appeal that led to the removal of three governors following disputes related to the 2023 elections.
Speaking at a high-level consultation on Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy in Africa, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the former president criticized what he termed “cathedral pronouncements” by judges. He emphasized the need to find a way to address the situation, stating that decisions made by a handful of judges should not override the choices of millions of voters.
Obasanjo questioned the process of handling such situations and expressed uncertainty about the solution. He highlighted the challenges of potentially calling for a new election and the implications for the previous election. The former president concluded by emphasizing his strong belief that decisions affecting millions of voters should not be left to the judgment of a small group of individuals.
