Peter Obi warns of crisis in Nigeria’s democracy
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has warned that Nigeria is facing a crisis over what he described as the erosion of democratic principles and institutions.
The former Anambra State governor spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital, where he reflected on the state of democracy and governance in Nigeria.
Obi recalled spending three years in court challenging his election as Anambra governor, saying judges he had never previously met delivered judgments in his favour.
He said such an experience would be difficult to replicate in Nigeria today.
“I was in court for three years challenging my election, five judges that I never met for one day gave judgement in my favour, it cannot happen in Nigeria of today,” Obi said.
He said the same happened at the Court of Appeal, where five judges he had never met also ruled in his favour.
Obi contrasted the experience with what he described as the deterioration of democratic standards in Nigeria.
“So, if you look at that and look at what is happening today in Nigeria where professors are now aiding illiterates to rig elections, where our lawmakers have removed forgery as an offence in electoral matters, and Senior Advocates of Nigeria are defending forgery,” he said.
“Our religious leaders are now praying for criminal politicians for blessings. We have a crisis. And above all, our judges are now singing on your mandate.”
Obi urged Nigerians to examine the direction of the country and question the state of its democratic institutions.
He warned against normalising practices that undermine democratic principles, saying the consequences could eventually be borne by future generations.
“We need to reverse this because the abuse we are allowing today will take its revenge on our children,” he said.
The 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue is centred on the theme: “Beyond elections, can political parties and the judiciary save African democracy?”
The event was chaired by former president Olusegun Obasanjo and attended by former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former vice-president Namadi Sambo.
Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed hosted the dialogue, which brought together constitutional experts and civil society representatives from across the continent.