Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP) in the general election of 2023, has expressed dismay at the state of Nigerian democracy, claiming that it has seen numerous losses and is hampered by poor leadership.
In a tweet published on his official X Twitter, Obi said that the lack of democracy in the country has resulted in unprecedented levels of hunger and suffering, unchecked systemic corruption, high levels of insecurity, and a restriction on free speech.
On the occasion of International Democracy Day, he made this statement, emphasizing that Nigeria is reminded of the importance of upholding democratic principles on this day.
In order to establish Nigeria on the firm foundation of true democracy, where every Nigerian is granted a voice and a fair hearing, regardless of tribe, religion, or political affiliation, the former governor of Anambra State urged political leaders to take a moment to reflect on the country’s democratic journey.
Nigerian democracy has had numerous failures due to a lack of leadership, which has resulted in widespread, unchecked corruption, high levels of insecurity, restrictions on free speech, growing poverty, and previously unheard-of levels of hunger and suffering.
Not only have these issues not been resolved, but they are also expanding geometrically. Sadly, the nation’s democratic ideals have deteriorated over time, and as a result, we may now be categorized as a captured state where the populace continues to endure immense suffering, deprivation, and insecurity while the political elite enriches itself on public funds.
He tweeted, “We have continued to rank low and perform badly in every measurement of true democracy, signalling a critical deficiency in our democratic system.”