On the occasion of Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and a prominent member of the opposition, has offered a critical evaluation of the democratic advancements made in the nation over the last 25 years. Obi questioned if Nigeria can really call itself a democracy in a statement that was shared on his official Twitter feed, citing serious shortcomings and structural problems.
When looking back at the period following the nation’s return to democracy in 1999, Obi emphasised the decline into what he called “classical state capture.” He pointed out that the current system has turned into a source of deprivation for everyone, rather than helping the people.
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Obi articulated the characteristics of a true democracy, emphasising that it must be focused on the needs of the people, uphold the rights of individuals, enforce the law, and hold officials accountable. He emphasised that the needs of the populace, particularly the impoverished, should come first. Regretfully, Obi claims that things are currently the reverse in Nigeria.
Obi backed up his claims with a number of international rankings that show how sick Nigeria’s democracy is: a low democracy index score of 4.23; 145th out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perception Index; 120th out of 142 in the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index; 112th out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF); and 109th out of 125 countries on the Global Hunger Index.
Obi demanded that the remembrance of June 12 serve as a catalyst for a renewed commitment to establishing a fully democratic country. He exhorted all Nigerians to uphold and preserve democratic institutions, follow the law, demand accountability from their leaders, and carry out their constitutionally mandated duties as citizens of government.
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“As we build a New Nigeria, these tenets shall be the pillars of our true democracy. It is possible,” Obi concluded.
Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has been a steadfast advocate in favour of democratic changes and improved governance in Nigeria.
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