Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the last general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has warned that democracy in Nigeria is under grave threat, lamenting that it has been hijacked by the elite and reduced to a tool for state capture.
In a statement released in Onitsha by his media aide, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, Obi made the remarks while delivering a keynote address at the 2025 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Annual Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, themed “What Makes Democracy Die?”
Obi expressed regret that Nigeria’s democratic practice has deviated significantly from its core ideals. He described democracy as a system rooted in accountability, service to the people, security, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
“Democracy is under threat in Nigeria because it no longer serves the people or holds leaders accountable,” Obi declared. “Regrettably, it has been reduced to a tool for elite state capture, granting private and family interests access to public resources.”
He further noted that when institutions fail to uphold accountability and leaders neglect the needs of citizens, democracy ceases to function. “Nigeria is a typical example of this tragic reality,” he stressed.
The former presidential candidate emphasized that reversing the decline of democracy in Nigeria would require the electorate to vote only for leaders with competence, capacity, character, compassion, and a genuine commitment to service.