Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has strongly criticized Nigeria's democratic system following recent parliamentary proceedings, describing it as "transactional" and resembling "organized criminality."
In a statement released today on his X account, Obi pointed to the absence of a functional opposition as evidence that "democracy, in its true sense, does not exist in Nigeria."
"Opposition is a critical pillar of any democratic system," Obi stated. "It ensures that the right things are done, holds the ruling party accountable, and offers alternative viewpoints."
The Labour Party leader compared Nigeria's political system unfavorably to other democracies that practice proportional representation, specifically citing South Africa and Indonesia as examples where democracy is "genuinely practiced."
"In South Africa, for example, the National Assembly has 400 seats. The African National Congress (ANC) received about 40% of the vote and holds approximately 160 seats, while the Democratic Alliance (DA), with about 20% of the vote, holds around 80 seats," he explained.
Obi who came third with over six million votes in the 2023 presidential election argued that Nigeria's Senate would be more balanced if it truly reflected electoral realities, with seats distributed proportionally among the major parties. "If that were the case in Nigeria, our Senate—comprising 109 seats—would be more reflective of electoral realities, with the APC holding 44 seats, the PDP 33, and the Labour Party 27," he said.
He specifically criticized Nigeria's lack of anti-defection laws, noting that in more established democracies, "laws prohibit elected officials from switching parties without forfeiting their seats." According to Obi, this practice in Nigeria "not only weakens the opposition but also makes a mockery of the electorate's will."
Despite his harsh assessment, Obi concluded his statement with a pledge to continue advocating for democratic reforms: "We will not surrender to criminality. We shall continue to fight for democracy—genuine democracy."
Political analysts note that Obi's comments come amid growing concerns about the strength of opposition voices in Nigeria's political landscape and ongoing debates about electoral reform in Africa's most populous nation.
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