‘Professors now aiding illiterates to rig elections’ — Peter Obi laments decline in democratic principles

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has lamented what he described as the erosion of democratic principles in Nigeria, warning that the country is facing a crisis.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, where he reflected on the state of democracy, governance and the country’s democratic institutions.

The former governor recalled spending three years in court challenging his election victory in Anambra State, noting that judges he had never met previously delivered judgments in his favour.

According to Obi, such a situation would be difficult to replicate in Nigeria today.

“I was in court for three years challenging my election. Five judges that I never met for one day gave judgment in my favour. It cannot happen in Nigeria of today. I went to the Court of Appeal, five judges I never met gave judgment in my favour,” he said.

Obi contrasted his experience with what he described as the current decline in the country’s democratic values.

“So, if you look at that and look at what is happening today in Nigeria, where professors are now aiding illiterates to rig elections, where our lawmakers have removed forgery as an offence in electoral matters, and Senior Advocates of Nigeria are defending forgery.

“Our religious leaders are now praying for criminal politicians for blessings. We have a crisis. And above all, our judges are now singing on your mandate,” Obi said.

‘Abuse Will Take Its Revenge on Our Children’

Obi urged Nigerians to critically examine the direction of the country and question the state of its democratic institutions.

He warned against allowing practices that undermine democracy to become normal, saying the consequences could be inherited by future generations.

“We need to reverse this because the abuse we are allowing today will take its revenge on our children,” he said.

The 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue was anchored on the theme: “Beyond Elections, Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”

The event was chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and attended by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former Vice President Namadi Sambo.

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed hosted the event, which also brought together constitutional experts, political actors and civil society representatives from across Africa.

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