As Nigeria commemorates 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has voiced concerns over the nation’s performance on critical democratic metrics. Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Obi underscored the areas where Nigeria is lagging, particularly as President Bola Tinubu marks his first year in office.
Obi pointed out that Nigeria fares poorly in several global assessments of democratic health. For instance, in the hunger index, Nigeria is ranked 109th out of 124 countries, highlighting a significant issue with food security. Similarly, the country is positioned at 145th out of 180 nations in the corruption index, revealing widespread challenges in addressing corruption.
“If you measure democracy, you look at the hunger index; Nigeria is 109 out of 124 countries. In the corruption index, we are 145 out of 180,” Obi stated.
He also emphasized the importance of law and order in sustaining democratic governance. Nigeria’s rank in this area is notably low, standing at 120th among the countries assessed. This suggests substantial deficiencies in maintaining law and order, which is crucial for a stable democracy.
“When you look at law and order, which is an important asset that drives democracy, we are very low. We are 120th among the countries measured. We are low on everything,” he noted.
Obi further criticized the electoral process in Nigeria, which he claims is fraught with irregularities and allegations of fraud. He contrasted Nigeria’s experiences with those of countries like South Africa, India, and Mexico, where elections are conducted more smoothly, and results are accepted by all parties. In these nations, election results are transmitted electronically without significant issues, and the process enjoys broad acceptance despite their large voter populations.
UPDATE: “We Don’t Practice True Democracy” – Peter Obi
“Even in the electoral process, we are very low. Let’s take a look at the recent election in Nigeria in comparison to South Africa, India, and Mexico. In these three countries, results were transmitted electronically without hitches, and every party accepted the results. People who voted in India were three times Nigeria’s population. But in our own case, many were prevented from voting, with all sorts of fraud,” Obi explained.
He concluded by stressing the need for Nigeria to reassess its democratic practices and make necessary adjustments to benefit future generations. According to Obi, addressing these fundamental issues is crucial for the nation’s democratic health and overall development.
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