Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, has called for urgent measures to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from what he described as a growing erosion of the institutions meant to protect it.
Obi made the call at a dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Bauchi, themed: “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
The former governor expressed concern that democracy in Nigeria and across Africa had deteriorated significantly, warning that the continent was approaching a point where it might no longer be possible to meaningfully describe its systems of governance as democratic.
“My modest contribution at the event was to highlight my concern that African democracy, using Nigeria as a case study, has deteriorated to such an extent that we are approaching a point where we may no longer be able to meaningfully say that democracy exists,” Obi said.
He recalled how the judiciary restored his mandate as governor of Anambra State after a legal battle, describing the experience as an example of judicial independence and the rule of law.
“I approached the courts when I believed my mandate had been stolen in Anambra. At that time, the judiciary demonstrated the independence expected of an arm of government. It upheld the law and restored the will of the people, without any relationship whatsoever between me and the judges who handled the matter. That was democracy at work,” he stated.
Obi lamented what he described as a decline in public confidence in democratic institutions, alleging that those who undermine the law increasingly rely on the courts to legitimise their actions.
“Today, however, those who break the law are often the first to tell you to ‘go to court’,” he said.
The former presidential candidate also raised concerns about the role of key institutions in sustaining democratic governance, including the electoral management body, the legislature, the legal profession and religious leaders.
“Our electoral management body, staffed by highly educated Nigerians, including many professors, is increasingly accused of enabling electoral malpractice and the emergence of people who are not qualified or do not possess the mandate of the people,” Obi said.
He further criticised what he described as efforts to normalise actions that should ordinarily attract public condemnation.
“Our lawmakers have removed forgery as an electoral offence, while some senior advocates appear to defend or normalise actions that should ordinarily attract condemnation. Our religious leaders sometimes pray for blessings upon political actors accused of misappropriating the commonwealth,” he said.
Obi said the situation becomes even more troubling when allegations emerge against the judiciary itself.
“And, most troubling of all, we now hear allegations of judges chanting, ‘On your mandate we shall stand,’” he added.
According to him, democracy is endangered when institutions established to defend it become complicit in its weakening.
“When the very institutions established to protect democracy begin to accommodate its destruction, we must stop pretending that everything is normal,” Obi warned.
Calling for national introspection, the former governor urged Nigerians to honestly assess the state of the nation and take steps to reverse what he termed institutional decay.
“I earnestly call for sober reflection and honest thinking. Socrates said that ‘the unexamined life is not worth living.’ A nation, too, must examine itself if it intends to survive,” he said.
Obi stressed the need for collective action to rebuild public institutions and restore confidence in democracy.
“We must halt this drift towards institutional decay and redirect our attention towards building a country that we and the generations that come after us can be proud of,” he stated.
He commended former President Goodluck Jonathan for convening the dialogue and praised former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his contributions to peace, unity and justice across Africa.
Obi concluded with a message of hope, maintaining that despite the challenges confronting the country, meaningful change remains achievable.
“We will overcome these challenges if we rebuild our institutions, uphold the rule of law and protect the sanctity of the people’s mandate. A New Nigeria is Possible,” he said.