Obi: Lawmakers, Lawyers, Clerics Complicit In Nigeria’s Democratic Crisis 

Presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised concerns over what he described as the declining integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system and judiciary, warning that the country’s democracy is facing a serious crisis.

Obi spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue held at the Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre in Bauchi State.

The dialogue, themed: “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties And The Judiciary Save African Democracy,” brought together political leaders, policymakers, jurists, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders to deliberate on the state of democracy in Africa.

Speaking during his goodwill message, the former Anambra State governor recalled his experience at the Court of Appeal, where he said five judges he had never met delivered a judgment in his favour.

Obi contrasted that experience with what he described as the deterioration of democratic values and judicial independence in the country.

“I went to Court of Appeal, five judges I never met gave judgment in my favour,” Obi said.

He questioned the state of Nigeria’s democracy, particularly what he described as the growing involvement of educated professionals in electoral malpractice.

“So if you look at that and look at what is happening today in Nigeria, where professors are now aiding illiterates to rig election,” he said.

Obi also criticised lawmakers for removing what he described as forgery as an offence in electoral matters, arguing that such developments weaken the country’s electoral process and undermine public confidence in democracy.

“Where our lawmakers have removed forgery as an offence in electoral matter. Our Senior Advocates of Nigeria are defending forgery,” he said.

The NDC candidate further expressed concern over the role of religious leaders in the political process, accusing some of failing to hold politicians accountable for alleged criminal conduct.

“Our religious leaders are not praying for criminal politicians for blessing,” Obi said.

According to him, the combination of electoral malpractice, weakened accountability and concerns over the judiciary has created a crisis for Nigeria’s democracy.

“We have a crisis and above all our judges are not thinking for your mandate we stand, whether stolen or not,” he said.

Obi’s comments come amid broader concerns among political actors and civil society groups over electoral credibility, judicial independence and the ability of democratic institutions to protect voters’ mandates.

The former Anambra governor urged Nigerians to resist the normalisation of electoral malpractice and defend democratic institutions, stressing that credible elections and an independent judiciary remain essential to sustaining democracy.

The 2026 GJF Democracy Dialogue is focused on examining the challenges confronting African democracy beyond the conduct of elections, with particular attention to the roles of political parties and the judiciary in strengthening democratic governance.