Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has criticised the state of Nigeria’s democracy, declaring that the nation no longer meets the basic standards of democratic governance.
Obi made the remarks during a speech commemorating Democracy Day on Thursday, lamenting what he described as the rapid erosion of democratic values under the current administration.
“Most unfortunately in our present state, our dear country Nigeria cannot be classified as a democratic country,” he said. “Democracy is said to be a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Yet, none of these three measures exist in our democracy today.”
He expressed concern that the core elements that define democracy have been systematically undermined. According to him, the electoral process has lost its integrity, as rules guiding participation are consistently violated, and individuals who should be disqualified now occupy public offices.
“People who are not qualified and ought to be disqualified are now holding public offices,” Obi stated.
Reflecting on the historical significance of June 12 in Nigeria’s democratic journey, Obi lamented that the nation has experienced widespread setbacks in just two years.
“It is deeply troubling that under the present administration, in a short span of two years, our nation has witnessed a broad erosion of democratic principles,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor also raised alarms about the deteriorating state of security, the economy, and public services.
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He painted a grim picture of how the country has transitioned from what he called “rigged elections to collapsing social service, from soaring poverty to rising corruption, and from a seemingly stable economy to a parallel economy.”
Obi accused the federal government of prioritising propaganda over problem-solving. He alleged that instead of showing accountability and tracking real progress, officials have resorted to manipulating public narratives.
“Rather than show genuine accountability and measure good progress, [the government] focuses on manipulating the narratives, gaslighting the public, shifting blame, and weaponising governance,” he said.
Backing his claims with economic data, Obi pointed out that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had plunged from $364 billion in May 2023 to $188 billion, while per capita income fell sharply from $1,640 to $835 within the same period.
“Nigerians living in poverty have increased from 38.9% to 54%. Within this period, 129 million Nigerians now live below poverty line,” he revealed, citing figures from relevant economic assessments.
Quoting a recent World Bank report, he said that 75% of Nigerians residing in rural areas now live below the poverty threshold.
On education, Obi noted the staggering number of out-of-school children, which he said has reached 18.3 million, the highest globally. He expressed dismay over the deteriorating condition of the nation’s learning infrastructure.
“Our children are now being taught science without science labs and computer without computers. They are now taking exams in darkness with candles,” he said.
The healthcare sector, according to Obi, is in no better shape. He referenced data from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, which indicates that less than 20% of Nigeria’s over 30,000 primary health care centres are functional.
“I recently visited some where there are delivery rooms without toilets,” he added, drawing attention to the sorry state of maternal health care facilities.
Obi concluded his Democracy Day address with a grim warning: Nigeria is experiencing a decline on all fronts, and the rule of law is fast becoming a relic.
“Our country is declining fast in all its facets,” he said, urging Nigerians to hold leaders accountable and demand better governance.
