The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has warned that Nigeria’s democratic institutions are being weakened, saying the country is facing a serious crisis.
Obi spoke on Tuesday, August 11, at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, where political leaders, constitutional experts and civil society representatives examined the state of democracy and governance in Nigeria and across Africa.
Reflecting on his own political journey, the former Anambra State governor recalled spending three years in court challenging his election.
He noted that judges he had never met previously delivered judgments in his favour at both the High Court and Court of Appeal.
According to Obi, the independence demonstrated by the judiciary during that period would be difficult to witness in Nigeria today.
“I was in court for three years challenging my election, five judges that I never met for one day gave judgement in my favour, it cannot happen in Nigeria of today. I went to Court of Appeal, five judges I never met gave judgement in my favour.
“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.
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He urged Nigerians to take a closer look at the direction of the country and examine the strength and independence of institutions responsible for protecting democracy.
Obi warned against accepting practices that undermine democratic values as normal, arguing that the consequences of such actions would extend beyond the present generation.
He said Nigerians had a responsibility to reverse the trend before the damage becomes more difficult to repair.
According to him, “We need to reverse this because the abuse we are allowing today will take its revenge on our children.”
The 2026 GJF Democracy Dialogue is centred on the question: “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 dialogue, which also attracted constitutional experts and civil society voices from across Africa.
The gathering provided a platform for participants to examine the challenges confronting democratic governance, particularly the roles of political parties, the judiciary and other institutions in protecting democratic accountability.