Obidient Movement knocks Justice Salami over ‘unqualified’ claim on Peter Obi, cites Supreme Court ruling
The Obidient Movement has strongly pushed back against recent remarks attributed to retired jurist Isa Salami, who reportedly questioned the qualification of Peter Obi to contest the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party.
In a statement signed by Dr. Tanko Yunusa on behalf of the movement, the group described the comments as misleading and legally unfounded, insisting that all issues surrounding Obi’s candidacy had been conclusively resolved by the courts.
The group pointed to the authority of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, stressing that the apex court had already settled disputes over Obi’s eligibility and party membership. According to the statement, “the issue of his qualification was thoroughly litigated,” and no court ruling disqualified him on the basis of his affiliation with the Labour Party.
Reaffirming a long-standing legal principle, the movement argued that party membership remains an internal affair. It noted that the Labour Party validly admitted Obi, granted him a waiver, and submitted his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission, adding that no external authority has the legal standing to challenge such decisions.
The Obidient Movement also questioned the timing of the retired judge’s comments, describing them as “curious” given that the 2023 elections and all related judicial proceedings had long been concluded. It warned against what it called attempts to “rewrite history” and undermine a candidacy that, in its words, “inspired millions of Nigerians.”
While acknowledging Salami’s broader concerns about the state of the judiciary, the group urged greater focus on systemic reforms rather than revisiting what it termed a “settled matter.” It further faulted aspects of the remarks, claiming inaccuracies regarding Obi’s political activities ahead of the election.
Defending Obi’s record, the movement highlighted his tenure as former governor of Anambra State, citing fiscal prudence and a corruption-free profile. It maintained that his 2023 candidacy remained “valid, legitimate, and overwhelmingly supported” by Nigerians seeking political change.
“We will not be distracted by retrospective opinions that hold no legal weight,” the statement read, reaffirming the movement’s commitment to what it described as the pursuit of a “New Nigeria.”
