Democracy Day Speech: Peter Obi Says Nigeria’s Democracy Has Devolved Into ‘State Capture’

Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate for 2023, has expressed concern about the state of Nigeria’s democracy 25 years after the country transitions from military rule.

He claims that the country’s democracy has degenerated into a “classical state capture.”

He stated this on Wednesday in a post on his X page, noting that Nigeria is still not a true democracy.

The former Anambra State Governor went on to say that leadership failures have resulted in uncontrolled systemic corruption, high levels of insecurity, a lack of free expression, rising poverty rates, and unprecedented levels of hunger and hardship.

He went on to say that true democracy should be people-oriented and ensure that citizens’ rights are protected.

Obi tweeted: “As our dear nation marks Democracy Day today, commemorating 25 years of striving to be a democratic country, the fundamental question for all of us remains: are we truly democratic?”

“An unexamined life is not worth living, so it is time to reconsider what we have done over the last 25 years. Democracy, as we all know, is a government of, by, and for the people.

Although we started in the right direction in 1999, we have now devolved into classic state capture. Instead of benefiting everyone, it has become a detriment to all.

“The consequences of not being a true democracy have resulted in leadership failures that have resulted in uncontrolled systemic corruption, high levels of insecurity, a lack of free speech, rising poverty rates, and unprecedented levels of hunger and hardship, all of which remain unresolved and are increasing geometrically.

“A true democracy should be people-oriented, where citizens’ rights are respected, laws are followed, leaders are held accountable to the people, and people’s welfare and care, particularly for the poor, become paramount and high priorities. Unfortunately, the opposite is true in our case. To show that we are not truly democratic and have only produced the vices listed above, we are now ranked as follows:

“Our democracy index score of 4.23 places us low on the Global Democracy Index. In the Corruption Perception Index, Nigeria ranks 145th out of 180 countries, indicating a high level of corruption. Nigeria ranks 120th out of 142 countries measured in the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index, indicating that the rule of law is grossly violated.

“According to Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) 2024 World Press Freedom Index, Nigeria is one of the most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists in West Africa.”

“Nigeria is ranked 112th out of 180 countries where journalists are frequently monitored, attacked, and arbitrarily arrested. We rank 109th out of 125 countries on the Global Hunger Index.

“Let us therefore use the commemoration of June 12 as an opportunity to return to a truly democratic nation.” We accomplished this feat on June 12, 1993, when we all voted for democracy in Nigeria. Today, we must defend Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“I urge everyone to respect and protect the democratic state’s institutions, obey its governing laws, be accountable to the people, and fulfil the responsibilities of responsible governance as outlined in the constitution.”