The Presidency has issued a stern warning to the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, following his critical comments on the state of democracy in Nigeria. Obi, alongside former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, had openly criticized the current administration, arguing that democracy was not functioning effectively under President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at the 60th birthday colloquium of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, Obi likened Nigeria’s democratic progression since 1999 to a demolished building. He stated that while previous administrations had laid foundations and made progress, recent governance had effectively “knocked everything down,” rendering the system dysfunctional.
In response, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Obi’s claims as exaggerated and lacking logical foundation. Onanuga asserted that democracy in Nigeria had only grown stronger over the past 26 years and accused Obi of taking advantage of the same democratic freedoms he claimed were nonexistent. He argued that if democracy had truly collapsed, Obi would not have been able to freely express such views at a public event.
Onanuga further cautioned Obi against making statements that could mislead the public, warning him to exercise restraint. He emphasized that the former Anambra governor should avoid playing to the gallery with hyperbolic remarks that, according to him, lacked critical reflection.
Obi’s remarks and the presidency’s reaction have sparked a divided response among political and religious leaders, with some concurring that democracy in Nigeria is indeed failing, while others maintain that the system is still intact, albeit flawed.
The Obidient Movement, a coalition of Obi’s supporters, strongly criticized Onanuga’s response, raising concerns that the Tinubu administration was increasingly demonstrating authoritarian tendencies. The group described Onanuga’s warning as a veiled threat and questioned what actions the administration intended to take against Obi for his remarks. They argued that the government had invested more energy in silencing critics than in addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
They further warned that if any harm befell Obi or his associates, the administration and its officials who had engaged in what they described as inciting rhetoric would be held responsible. According to the movement, similar threats and inflammatory statements from government officials had contributed to electoral violence and ethnic divisions in the country.
In support of Obi’s assertions, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara expressed his belief that democracy in Nigeria was no longer functioning as intended. He argued that the country had strayed from the core principles of democracy, reducing it to a corrupted and distorted system that catered only to a select few. Wabara called for constitutional amendments, particularly to reduce the excessive powers vested in the presidency, which he described as an impediment to true democratic governance.
Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia Diocese, Raphael Opoko, also criticized the state of democracy in Nigeria, describing it as “selectocracy” rather than a true representation of the people’s will. According to Opoko, democratic institutions, including the judiciary, had been weakened to the point where public confidence had been severely eroded. He lamented that justice was no longer guaranteed, as court decisions were often influenced by political interests rather than the rule of law.
Echoing similar sentiments, the Methodist Archbishop of Okigwe Archdiocese, Most Rev. Biereonwu Livinus Onuagha, declared that democracy in Nigeria had been destroyed by political elites. He pointed to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State as evidence of a broader democratic failure. He warned that Nigeria’s governance system was increasingly resembling a dictatorship, with political leaders manipulating institutions for personal gain rather than for the benefit of the people.
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, also weighed in, agreeing that democracy in Nigeria remained fragile and under siege. They cited widespread government misconduct, including executive overreach, legislative corruption, and judicial compromise, as factors undermining the democratic process.
The executive arm of government, they argued, had consistently violated the rule of law by detaining individuals without court orders and disregarding constitutional procedures. Allegations of corruption among high-ranking officials had further weakened public trust in governance. The legislative arm, rather than holding the executive accountable, had become complicit in endorsing undemocratic actions, while the judiciary, once regarded as the last hope of the common man, had been accused of issuing questionable judgments influenced by political pressure.
The National President of the Association of Igbo Town Unions, Chief Emeka Diwe, also expressed skepticism about the future of democracy in Nigeria. He argued that as long as one person appeared to control all three arms of government, the democratic system would remain ineffective. He criticized the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, which he described as unconstitutional, warning that democratic principles were being systematically eroded.
Ondo State PDP Publicity Secretary, Hon. Kennedy Peretei, lamented the growing perception that democracy in Nigeria had become a system where “anything goes.” He pointed to allegations of judicial corruption, where individuals claimed they could buy judgments, and argued that elections were increasingly decided in the courts rather than through the ballot box.
Similarly, political analyst Hon. Ayo Fadaka blamed the deteriorating state of democracy on the character of Nigeria’s political leaders. He contended that many of those in power had histories of corruption, criminal allegations, or lacked nationalistic values, resulting in a governance structure that prioritized personal interests over national progress.
Former Ondo State SDP Chairman, Hon. Stephen Adewale, acknowledged the challenges facing democracy but argued that Nigeria had survived previous threats to democratic governance, including those under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. He maintained that democracy would withstand the current turbulence and urged political leaders to focus on strengthening institutions rather than lamenting perceived failures.
The Organizing Secretary of the Pan-Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu, also emphasized the need for constructive discourse rather than alarmist rhetoric. He acknowledged the flaws in Nigeria’s democracy but asserted that it remained a work in progress, requiring reforms and principled leadership to overcome existing challenges.
President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, Aare Oladotun Hassan, agreed that democracy in Nigeria faced significant hurdles but insisted that outright claims of its failure should be examined with caution. While corruption, insecurity, and economic hardship had created obstacles, he argued that Nigeria’s transition from military to civilian rule was still a notable achievement that should not be overlooked.
Former Ekiti State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Lanre Ogunsuyi, highlighted the need for urgent reforms to improve Nigeria’s democratic system. He warned that if the country continued on its current trajectory without institutional strengthening, democratic governance would remain ineffective.
Former Osun State lawmaker, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, however, disagreed with the assertions that democracy had collapsed in Nigeria. He pointed to the last general elections, where incumbent governors and lawmakers lost their seats to newcomers, as proof that democratic processes were still functioning. He argued that while Nigeria’s democracy had flaws, it remained resilient and continued to evolve.
As debates over the state of democracy in Nigeria intensify, opinions remain sharply divided between those who believe the system is failing and those who argue that democracy is merely experiencing challenges that can be overcome with institutional reforms and better governance.
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