Former NBA Chairman Martin Ogunleye Critiques Judiciary Appointments And Political System In Nigeria
In a recent interview, Martin Ogunleye, former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch, shared his concerns about Nigeria’s judiciary appointments, political dynamics, and calls for systemic reform. Ogunleye criticized the appointment process for judges, claiming that political patronage has taken over, resulting in individuals who are unqualified for judicial positions filling important roles. He noted that in a country with over 200 million people, it is concerning that the wives or relatives of political figures are often the ones appointed to the bench.
Ogunleye pointed to the historical example of Lagos State, where the Chief Judge, John Idowu Taylor, refused to meet with then-President Yakubu Gowon, citing the potential perception of bias. He emphasized that justice must be seen to be done, and that having close political ties to those in power undermines public trust in the judiciary. He also expressed his dissatisfaction with the influence of political figures on the judicial system, lamenting that many recent judicial appointments are politically motivated rather than merit-based.
Addressing Nigeria’s electoral system, Ogunleye criticized the state of party politics, arguing that many Nigerians feel disenfranchised, wrongly believing their votes don’t count. He stressed the importance of local government involvement, calling it the most crucial tier of governance yet often ignored by citizens.
On the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding local government autonomy, Ogunleye dismissed the reforms as superficial, observing that elections in many states continue to be controlled by the ruling parties, rendering true democratic change elusive.
Regarding the opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ogunleye pointed to internal crises, similar to those within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He argued that party leadership in Nigeria is often too centralized around individual governors, which leads to a lack of ideological consistency and structural integrity.
Ogunleye also expressed skepticism about the efficacy of constitutional reform, stating that changing the 1999 constitution or reverting to a regional system would not address Nigeria’s underlying issues. He emphasized that the real problem lies in the judiciary and the broader political structure, which perpetuates corruption and inefficiency.
Finally, Ogunleye called for a leaner government, criticizing the current presidential system for being overly expensive. He suggested that reforms should focus on practical changes, such as reducing the number of ministers and making parliamentary politics less of a full-time, financially rewarding career. He stressed that for true political reform to occur, party structures must be reformed to involve the active participation and financial contributions of ordinary members, rather than being driven by wealthy elites.
