The Nigerian Presidency has dismissed claims by former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that democracy has collapsed under President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga countered Obi’s assertions, stating that the former Anambra governor enjoys the freedom of speech guaranteed by democracy—something that would not be possible if democracy had truly collapsed.
Obi made the remarks on Monday at the 60th birthday celebration of former Imo State governor Emeka Ihedioha. He claimed that all democratic structures had crumbled under Tinubu, citing the recent imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State as an example.
“They started in 1999 and laid the foundation. Some people came and added a decking, others tried to raise it to the first floor, but then some people came and knocked everything down,” Obi said.
He further compared his political experiences under former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the present administration, suggesting that judicial independence and democratic norms had eroded.
But Onanuga, in a statement shared on his X handle, dismissed Obi’s claims as baseless and exaggerated.
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“I listened multiple times to former Governor Peter Obi’s statement in this clip, where he claims that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria. His hyperbolic remarks, designed for headlines, lack deep reflection and a solid logical foundation,” Onanuga stated.
“How can a democracy that has strengthened over the past 26 years be said to have collapsed? Only a discontented and disgruntled Peter Obi, who benefits from the very free speech that democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall through his lens.”
He added: “If democracy had indeed collapsed, as Peter claims, and we were living under a regime that opposed democratic principles, he would not have been able to make his comments on Monday at Emeka Ihedioha’s colloquium.”
Onanuga urged Obi to exercise caution in his public statements, warning against what he described as sensationalism.