Democracy in Nigeria is Dying, Says Peter Obi

‎Obi, who is also a former governor of Anambra State, described the current system as one lacking accountability and focused more on serving political elites rather than the people. According to him, democracy in Nigeria has been reduced to a tool for those in power to access public resources for personal and family gain.

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‎In a statement shared on his 𝕏 handle on Wednesday, after attending the 2025 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Annual Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, Obi reflected on the theme of the conference, “What Makes Democracy Die?”

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‎He explained that real democracy is built on accountability, service delivery, security, education, healthcare, and poverty reduction. When these values are absent, he said, democracy begins to fail.

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‎“Democracy dies when it ceases to be accountable to the people and no longer prioritises their needs,” Obi wrote. “Nigeria is a typical example, because our democracy no longer serves the people or holds leaders accountable. It has become a system of elite state capture, providing access to public funds for personal and family interests.”

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‎Despite his criticism, Obi stressed that hope is not lost. He urged Nigerians to take elections seriously and ensure that only credible leaders are elected. “To reverse this situation, Nigerians must elect people with competence, capacity, character, compassion, and commitment to service. A new Nigeria is possible,” he added.