Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared that Nigeria no longer operates as a true democracy, pointing to growing authoritarianism, weakened institutions, and a lack of political accountability.
There is no democracy in Nigeria today. If you look at the fundamental principles—rule of law, free press, strong opposition—they’ve all collapsed.
Obi criticized what he called the erosion of democratic values, citing:
.Rampant political defections that weaken the opposition
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The muzzling of dissenting voices, including through media restrictions, and
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A legislative system that he says is more loyal to power than to the people.
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He also pointed to recent events in Rivers State, where emergency powers were approved amid political turmoil, as a symbol of what he called “a dysfunctional system where one party dominates and checks and balances no longer work.”
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Despite being a former governor and mainstream politician, Obi has emerged as a prominent critic of the political establishment, calling for urgent constitutional reforms, including:
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While supporters praised his boldness, government allies dismissed the remarks as exaggerated, saying Nigeria remains committed to democratic governance.
