Lagos, Nigeria – March 21, 2025 –
2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and the ObiDient Movement leader Peter Obi has sharply criticized Nigeria’s democratic system, declaring that “democracy, in its true sense, does not exist” in the country following a recent parliamentary vote. In a detailed statement posted on his official X handle on Friday, Obi argued that the absence of a functional opposition and unchecked party defections are eroding the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, rendering its democracy “transactional, compromised, and, in many respects, resembling organized criminality.”
Obi’s remarks come in the wake of a contentious parliamentary vote held on Thursday, which he described as a stark demonstration of Nigeria’s democratic shortcomings. He emphasized that robust opposition is a critical pillar of any genuine democracy, ensuring accountability, transparency, and alternative viewpoints. However, he pointed out that Nigeria’s current system lacks the structural mechanisms—such as proportional representation and laws restricting party defections—seen in countries like South Africa and Indonesia, where democratic practices are more balanced and credible.
Drawing comparisons, Obi noted that in South Africa, the National Assembly’s 400 seats are distributed proportionally, with the African National Congress (ANC) holding about 160 seats based on its 40% vote share, and the Democratic Alliance (DA) securing around 80 seats from its 20% share. Similarly, Indonesia enforces laws that prevent elected officials from switching parties without forfeiting their seats, maintaining party discipline and the sanctity of electoral mandates. In contrast, Obi argued that Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives fail to reflect electoral realities due to rampant defections, with politicians switching allegiances freely and without consequence.
“If that were the case in Nigeria, our Senate—comprising 109 seats—would be more reflective of electoral realities, with the APC holding 44 seats, the PDP 33 (under the leadership of Atiku), and the Labour Party 27 (under my leadership),” Obi wrote. He lamented that the absence of anti-defection laws not only weakens the opposition but also mocks the will of Nigerian voters, undermining democratic institutions.
Obi’s statement arrives amid heightened political tensions in Nigeria, including President Bola Tinubu’s controversial declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State earlier this week. Tinubu’s move, which suspended the state’s governor, deputy governor, and lawmakers for six months following an oil pipeline blast, has drawn widespread criticism from opposition figures, legal experts, and civil society groups. The Nigerian Bar Association and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have labelled the action “unconstitutional” and an attempt at “state capture,” accusing Tinubu of consolidating power and threatening Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
On social media, Obi’s post has ignited a firestorm of reactions, with some supporters urging him to lead protests against the perceived democratic decline, while others criticized his lengthy statement or questioned his past governance record. Trending hashtags like #TinubuIsaTerriblePresident and #NigeriasDemocracy reflect the broader public frustration with the current administration and the state of governance.
In his post, Obi vowed to continue fighting for “genuine democracy” and called for urgent reforms, including enforcing party discipline, ensuring fair representation, and protecting electoral mandates. “Unless we implement these changes, Nigeria’s democracy will remain fragile and dysfunctional,” he warned.
The former Anambra State governor’s comments have resonated with ongoing discussions about Nigeria’s political stability, as frequent party defections and intra-party conflicts have long plagued the country’s Fourth Republic.
As Nigeria navigates these challenges, Obi’s call for reform underscores a growing demand for transparency and fairness in the nation’s political system, raising questions about the future of democracy in Africa’s most populous country.
