COURTS SHOULDN’T BE DETERMINING ELECTION OUTCOMES — OBASANJO

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigerian courts should not be the institutions determining the winners of elections, arguing that electoral outcomes should reflect the decisions made by voters at the polling units.
Obasanjo made the comment while speaking on the state of democracy and elections in Nigeria, stressing the importance of strengthening the country’s electoral system.
According to the former president, elections should be conducted in a manner that allows citizens to freely choose their leaders and ensures that their votes accurately determine the outcome.
He expressed concern about situations where election results are challenged in court and political victories are subsequently determined through prolonged litigation.
Obasanjo argued that while the judiciary has an important role in interpreting electoral laws and resolving genuine disputes, courts should not become the primary avenue through which politicians seek to secure electoral victories.
He called for reforms that would improve the credibility, transparency and efficiency of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The former president also stressed the need for political leaders, electoral officials and other stakeholders to respect the will of voters and ensure that elections are conducted fairly.
He maintained that strengthening electoral institutions would reduce the number of election-related disputes and restore greater confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Obasanjo urged Nigerians to demand a system in which election results are determined by the ballots cast by citizens rather than legal battles that could continue long after voting has ended.