Former Anambra State governor and 2027 presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised concerns over what he described as the declining integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, Peak Newspaper reports.
Obi spoke at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, where he criticised the roles of academics, lawmakers, lawyers, religious leaders and judges in the country’s electoral process.
Recalling his experience with the Court of Appeal, Obi said five judges he had never met previously delivered a judgment in his favour. He contrasted that experience with what he described as troubling developments in Nigeria today.
According to him, some professors are allegedly helping people manipulate elections, while lawmakers have removed forgery as an electoral offence and some Senior Advocates of Nigeria are defending alleged forgery.
He also criticised religious leaders for praying for politicians he described as criminals and questioned the impartiality of some members of the judiciary.
“We have a crisis. And above all, our judges are now singing, ‘On your mandate we stand.’”»
Obi warned that the continued weakening of democratic institutions could have serious consequences for future generations.
He called for a reversal of practices that, in his view, undermine electoral integrity, accountability and public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system.
