The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has decried the state of democracy in Nigeria, arguing that the system has collapsed and no longer functions as it should.
Speaking at the 60th birthday colloquium for former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja on Monday, Obi reflected on the country’s political trajectory since 1999, expressing concern that progress made over the years has been undone.
He compared Nigeria’s democratic development to a building project, suggesting that while initial foundations were laid in 1999, subsequent efforts to build upon them have been dismantled, leaving the system in disarray.
Obi lamented that governance structures have been severely weakened, rendering institutions ineffective.
Drawing from his personal experience as a former governor, Obi recalled how he was able to secure his mandate through the courts without external interference, an occurrence he believes would be impossible in today’s political climate.
He recounted instances when past presidents intervened to uphold democratic processes, contrasting them with the present situation, where he claims presidential influence is now used to undermine elected officials rather than protect democratic principles.
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According to Obi, Nigeria’s democracy is now in a state of failure, with key democratic values disregarded.
He stressed the urgency of rebuilding the system to restore functionality and credibility, warning that continued neglect would lead to further deterioration.
He said, “He stated, “Well, if you look at what Bishop Kukah said, he said it’s work-in-progress. Let me follow what my brother (Tambuwal) said about 1999.
“If you looked at where we are today, it’s like, they (the PDP) started in 1999, laid the foundation. Some people came and took it to decking, and some people were trying to take it to the first floor, when some people came and knocked everything down.
‘”That is the situation we are now. Everything has been knocked down and nothing works. I am somebody who can say this, exemplarily. I became a governor through the courts, when President Obasanjo and Atiku were in government.
“I did not pay the court one naira. I was sitting in my office and the court declared me winner, when a governor was not seeing them. This cannot happen in Nigeria, today.
“When I was being impeached, the president sent people to come and intervene on my behalf. Ken Nnamani came, begging the house people not to impeach me. Today, the president impeaches the person. So, that is the thing. It has collapsed. It has failed.
”They were begging my house not to impeach me. And they were in the PDP and I was in AGPA and they were begging. President Obasanjo was calling and said, Peter, are you okay? Are you safe?
“When I got back from the court, and the court eventually declared me, under Andy Ubah. President Yar’Adua called my phone in London and said congrats. I said I can’t come back, because you know if I come back, these people…
“He said, ‘tell me the flight in which you’re coming’ and I told him. When I came, it was the first time the military people came to receive me at the airport. I couldn’t believe it, and took me straight to him.
‘’Now, the president will ask me not to come back here again! So, it has failed. Let’s talk about how we are going to rebuild it. It is collapsing!”
See the video below:
https://x.com/dangbanamanager/status/1904211822367985849?s=46
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