Peter Obi, who ran for president with the Labour Party in 2023, claims Nigeria is not really a democratic country.
During a Tuesday appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time show, Obi said Nigeria fails to meet the basic standards of democracy.
“I have said it, and I maintain that there is no democracy in Nigeria today,” Obi stated.
“Nigeria today is not a democratic country. Let’s stop telling ourselves lies. The basic features that make up a democracy don’t exist here.”
He explained his view by breaking down the definition of democracy: “Democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Today, our government is not of the people.”
“It’s not by the people because people’s votes didn’t count. I’m not just talking about the presidential election – it’s happening everywhere. Look at what happened in Edo. Can anyone call that democracy?”
Obi added that the government isn’t working “for the people” either. He described visiting a camp for displaced persons where thousands of people lacked basic healthcare.
“They begged me for just one nurse, which I promised to help provide. They don’t even have a primary school, which I also promised to address.”
He pointed out what he sees as misplaced priorities: “How can a country spend N21 billion renovating a house for the vice-president who doesn’t even live there? Yet we can’t build a primary school for children who will become Nigeria’s future leaders.”
According to BusinessDay, in March, Obi criticised President Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers and suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
