Is a qualified judge who is the only available person obligated to assume the judicial office, based on Ahmad's reported view?

Primary text

There is a transmission from Ahmad indicating that the office does not become obligatory upon the sole qualified person. When asked if the judge sins if no one else is available, he replied, No sin. This might imply that the obligation is lifted because of the inherent personal risk involved, meaning he is not obliged to harm himself for the benefit of others, which explains why Abu Qilabah refused the position when told he was the only one available.