Nigeria, a typical example of where democracy is dying’ —Peter Obi

Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, has raised alarm over the state of democracy in Nigeria, describing the country as “a typical example of where democracy is dying.”

Speaking at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Annual Democracy Dialogue held Wednesday in Accra, Ghana, Obi pointed to the erosion of democratic values, lack of accountability, and the growing influence of elites over public institutions as core reasons for democratic backsliding in Nigeria. The theme of the event was “What Makes Democracy Die?”

“Democracy is fundamentally about accountability, prioritising service to the people, ensuring security, providing education and healthcare, and lifting people out of poverty,” Obi said. “Democracy dies when it ceases to be accountable to the people and when it no longer prioritises their needs.”

Citing Nigeria’s current political climate, the former Anambra State governor argued that democratic structures have been hijacked by elites, who use their positions to control state resources for personal and familial gain. According to him, this elite capture has undermined the democratic process.

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He urged citizens to take greater responsibility during elections by choosing leaders based on integrity and ability to serve. “We must elect leaders with competence, capacity, character, compassion, and commitment to service,” Obi emphasized.

Obi also criticised the recently concluded six-month emergency rule in Rivers State, which was lifted by President Bola Tinubu, calling it both unnecessary and unconstitutional. “The restoration of democracy in Rivers State after six months of needless disruption remains a sour side of our democracy today,” he stated. “I just hope that some lessons were learned by all the gladiators in the Rivers State impasse.”

He concluded by stressing that democratic progress requires leaders who are willing to acknowledge errors and grow from them. “True leadership requires admitting mistakes, learning from them, and making corrections for the sake of democratic growth,” Obi said.

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