The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over what he described as a steady erosion of democratic values and institutional integrity in Nigeria, alleging that professionals who ought to protect the system are increasingly becoming involved in practices that undermine it.
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Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, where political leaders, constitutional experts and civil society representatives gathered to examine the future of democracy on the continent.
Reflecting on his experience challenging the outcome of the Anambra governorship election, Obi recalled spending about three years in court before eventually securing judicial victory.
According to him, the judges who decided his cases had no personal relationship with him, an experience he said would be difficult to replicate under the present political climate.
“I was in court for three years challenging my election. Five judges that I never met for one day gave judgment in my favour. It cannot happen in Nigeria of today,” Obi said.
He added that when the matter proceeded to the Court of Appeal, another panel of five judges whom he had never met also ruled in his favour.
Obi contrasted that experience with what he described as the present state of Nigeria’s institutions, alleging that academics, lawyers, lawmakers, religious leaders and even members of the judiciary were increasingly becoming entangled in conduct capable of weakening public confidence in democracy.
“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.
He further alleged that some religious leaders had abandoned their expected moral role by offering prayers and blessings for politicians accused of wrongdoing.
“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 said.
The former Anambra governor urged Nigerians to critically examine the direction of the country and the conduct of institutions responsible for protecting elections, justice and democratic governance.
He warned that tolerating conduct which weakens democratic safeguards could have consequences beyond the present generation.
“We need to reverse this because the abuse we are allowing today will take its revenge on our children,” he stated.
Obi maintained that democracy could not survive merely through the conduct of periodic elections, stressing the importance of credible institutions, an independent judiciary and political actors committed to democratic principles.
The 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue was held under the theme, “Beyond Elections, Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo chaired the event, which was also attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed hosted the dialogue, which brought together political leaders, constitutional experts and civil society representatives from different parts of Africa to discuss challenges confronting democratic governance on the continent.
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