Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised recent political developments in Nigeria, lamenting that some individuals who once championed democracy during the military era are now undermining the same ideals they fought to establish.
Obi made the remarks on Thursday while reacting to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to derecognise the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement, the former Anambra State governor described the development as a troubling paradox in Nigeria’s democratic history, warning that actions capable of weakening democratic institutions could have long-term consequences for the country’s political stability.
“It is a shame that yesterday’s defenders of democracy are today’s destroyers,” Obi said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha, Obi noted that it was ironic that some of those who once positioned themselves as champions of freedom and human rights now appear to be presiding over actions that threaten democratic values.
“What an irony of history that the acclaimed defenders of democracy and human rights who claimed to have fought for democracy during the era of General Sani Abacha now find themselves worse than the man they opposed,” he said.
According to Obi, the situation could ultimately reshape how history judges both past and present political actors.
“Today, General Sani Abacha, once presumed to be the face of oppression, may even be remembered as seemingly more democratic and more respectful of human rights than the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days. Power indeed reveals character,” he added.
Although the former governor did not mention specific individuals, his comments were widely interpreted as a veiled criticism of some members of the current political leadership who were active in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) during the struggle against military rule.
Obi warned that any attempt to weaken democratic institutions or suppress political pluralism could erode public trust in governance and threaten the foundations of Nigeria’s democracy.
He urged political leaders to remain faithful to the ideals that guided the struggle for democratic rule, including respect for civil liberties, adherence to the rule of law, and protection of the rights of political actors.
Obi also called on Nigerians to remain vigilant in defending the country’s democracy, stressing that the survival of democratic governance depends on the willingness of citizens to safeguard it.
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