In The Selectorate, Chidi Anselm Odinkalu dismantles the long-held myth of judicial independence in Nigeria and across Africa. He argues that the judiciary, far from being neutral arbiters of justice, has evolved into an unelected political elite, determining the fate of democracy from the courtroom rather than the ballot box. As electoral legitimacy shifts from voters to judges, the judiciary becomes a “Selectorate,” wielding power that undermines the very foundations of democracy.
The-Selectorate-Cover-and-backJudicial independence is often celebrated as a cornerstone of democracy, but Chidi Odinkalu challenges this assumption. In colonial Nigeria, judicial officers were never truly independent; they served at the pleasure of the colonial masters. Decades later, military and civilian regimes alike co-opted the judiciary for political ends. Through historical analysis and contemporary case studies, The Selectorate exposes how the judiciary has been shaped not by ideals of justice but by obedience to power. This book is an urgent call for citizens to reclaim democratic participation from the grip of unelected elites.
