By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is deteriorating to a dangerous level, urging political leaders and democratic institutions to halt what he described as a drift towards institutional decay.
Obi gave the warning in a statement posted on his X handle on Wednesday, following his participation in a democracy dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Bauchi.
The dialogue, which Obi said marked the fifth time he had honoured the Foundation’s invitation, was themed: “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
He commended former President Goodluck Jonathan for his commitment to strengthening democracy and nation-building, while also acknowledging former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the event, for his contributions to peace, unity and justice across Africa.
Obi also praised Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for hosting the gathering and providing a platform for discussions on the future of democracy on the continent.
However, the former governor said his major concern at the event was the alarming deterioration of democratic institutions in Africa, particularly Nigeria.
According to Obi, the country is approaching a point where it may no longer be meaningful to claim that democracy exists if institutions established to protect it continue to weaken.
He recalled his legal battle over the Anambra governorship election, saying the judiciary at the time demonstrated the independence expected of an arm of government by upholding the law and restoring what he described as the mandate of the people.
“That was democracy at work,” Obi said, stressing that he had no relationship with the judges who handled his case.
He, however, lamented what he described as a significant change in the country’s democratic environment, noting that individuals accused of violating electoral laws now frequently tell their opponents to seek redress in court.
Obi also expressed concern over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral management system, saying the institution, despite being staffed by highly educated Nigerians, including professors, is increasingly accused of enabling electoral malpractice and the emergence of candidates who are either unqualified or lack the mandate of the people.
He further criticised the National Assembly for removing forgery as an electoral offence and questioned the conduct of some senior advocates whom he accused of defending or normalising actions that ought to attract public condemnation.
The former presidential candidate also expressed concern over the role of religious leaders in the political system, alleging that some sometimes offer prayers for political actors accused of misappropriating public resources.
Obi reserved his strongest concern for the judiciary, saying it was particularly troubling to hear allegations of judges chanting, “On your mandate we shall stand.”
He warned that such developments should not be treated as normal in a democracy.
“When the very institutions established to protect democracy begin to accommodate its destruction, we must stop pretending that everything is normal,” Obi said.
He called for sober reflection and honest national introspection, invoking the words attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates that “the unexamined life is not worth living.”
According to him, Nigeria, like an individual, must examine its condition honestly if it is to survive and build a sustainable democratic future.
Obi urged Nigerians to reject the growing culture of institutional decay and redirect their attention towards building a country that citizens and future generations can be proud of.
