The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over what he described as the erosion of democratic principles in Nigeria, warning that the country is facing a deepening institutional crisis.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, where he reflected on the state of democracy, governance and the country’s democratic institutions.
Recalling his legal battle over the Anambra State governorship election, Obi said he spent three years in court challenging his election and received favourable judgments from judges he had never previously met.
He said such an experience would be difficult to replicate in Nigeria today.
“I was in court for three years challenging my election. Five judges that I never met for one day gave judgment in my favour. It cannot happen in Nigeria of today. I went to the Court of Appeal, five judges I never met gave judgment in my favour,” Obi said.
He expressed concern over what he described as a deterioration in electoral and judicial standards, alleging that some academics, lawmakers, lawyers and religious leaders were now contributing to practices that undermine democracy.
“So, if you look at that and look at what is happening today in Nigeria, where professors are now aiding illiterates to rig elections, where our lawmakers have removed forgery as an offence in electoral matters, and Senior Advocates of Nigeria are defending forgery. Our religious leaders are now praying for criminal politicians for blessings. We have a crisis.
“And above all, our judges are now singing on your mandate,” he said.
Obi urged Nigerians to critically examine the direction of the country and assess the state of its democratic institutions.
He called on citizens to reject the normalisation of practices that weaken democratic values, warning that the consequences could be passed on to future generations.
“We need to reverse this because the abuse we are allowing today will take its revenge on our children,” he said.
The 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue is themed: “Beyond Elections, Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
The event was chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and attended by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed hosted the dialogue, which also attracted constitutional experts and civil society representatives from across Africa.
