Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has fiercely criticized Nigeria’s current democratic system, labeling it “transactional” and accusing it of lacking a true, functioning opposition.
His comments come after a parliamentary vote on Thursday, which he argued exposed deep-rooted flaws within the country’s political framework.
In a passionate statement shared on Friday via X, Obi emphasized that a democracy cannot flourish without a robust and functional opposition.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s failure to implement proportional representation in its legislature undermines both accountability and the fairness of electoral results.
“Without a genuine opposition, democracy cannot thrive. It’s an essential pillar that ensures transparency, holds the ruling party to account, and provides diverse viewpoints,” Obi declared.
Drawing comparisons to the political structures of South Africa and Indonesia, Obi explained that proportional representation in these countries allows multiple parties to fairly maintain their electoral mandates.
He cited South Africa’s example, where the African National Congress (ANC) holds 160 of 400 parliamentary seats with only 40% of the vote, while the Democratic Alliance (DA), with 20% of the vote, holds around 80 seats.
This system, according to Obi, preserves the integrity of the electoral process by preventing elected officials from defecting to other parties without forfeiting their seats.
“If Nigeria had a similar structure, the current Senate would better reflect the people’s vote,” Obi pointed out. “The APC would hold 44 seats, the PDP with Atiku Abubakar leading would have 33, and the Labour Party would hold 27. Instead, we are left with a fragmented system that allows politicians to jump parties without any repercussions, thus undermining the people’s mandate.”
Obi expressed concern that the lack of laws to prevent defections not only weakens the opposition but also renders the democratic process hollow.
He warned that the current state of affairs makes a mockery of the electorate’s will and erodes the very foundation of democratic integrity.
“What we have is not democracy; it’s a compromised, transactional system that, in many ways, mirrors organised criminality,” he lamented.
The former governor of Anambra State made it clear that he remains steadfast in his commitment to advocating for fundamental democratic reforms. “We will not surrender to this corrupt system. We will continue to fight for a true democracy—one that reflects the will of the people and upholds the principles of fairness and accountability,” Obi vowed.
Obi’s call for change is a powerful reminder that for Nigeria’s democracy to thrive, urgent reforms are needed to restore credibility, ensure fair representation, and uphold the sanctity of electoral outcomes.
