Peter Obi Critiques Nigeria’s Democracy, Calls for Reforms

Peter Obi criticizes Nigeria’s democratic system for lacking effective opposition and proportional representation. He highlights recent parliamentary flaws, comparing Nigeria to countries with successful systems like South Africa. Obi warns of the dangers of unregulated political defection and advocates for urgent democratic reforms to uphold accountability and electoral integrity.

Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, has sharply criticized Nigeria’s democratic framework, characterizing it as transactional and deficient in effective opposition. He expressed these concerns following a recent parliamentary vote, which, according to him, highlighted major weaknesses within the nation’s democratic process. Obi asserted that genuine democracy requires a functioning opposition to thrive.

In a statement on Friday via X, Obi emphasized that the lack of proportional representation in Nigeria’s legislature undermines accountability and skews electoral outcomes. He articulated, “Where there is no functional opposition, democracy cannot thrive. Opposition is a critical pillar of any democratic system.” This sentiment reflects his view that the ruling party needs to be held accountable and that diverse perspectives should be represented.

Obi drew parallels between Nigeria’s political system and those of South Africa and Indonesia, attributing their successful democratic operations to their use of proportional representation. He noted that in South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) commands about 40% of the vote, yet holds around 160 parliamentary seats. Such a structure prevents elected officials from switching parties, preserving electoral mandates and party discipline.

He posited that if Nigeria adopted a similar system, the current Senate composition could reflect a more accurate representation, with respective seats assigned to major parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party. However, he criticized the existing freedom for politicians to change allegiances, which he sees as damaging to the opposition and undermining the electorate’s voice.

Obi cautioned that urgent reforms are necessary to enforce party discipline and ensure equitable representation, warning that without such changes, Nigeria’s democracy risks remaining fragile and ineffective. He described the current political climate as “one that is transactional, compromised, and, in many respects, resembles organised criminality.”

Remaining resolute, Obi affirmed his commitment to championing democratic reforms, declaring, “But we will not surrender to criminality. We shall continue to fight for democracy—genuine democracy.”

In summary, Peter Obi calls for significant reforms to restore and enhance Nigeria’s democratic integrity, highlighting the need for a functional opposition and proportional representation. He argues that the current system’s flaws dilute accountability and electoral true representation. Obi remains determined to advocate for changes that promote genuine democracy, stressing the importance of upholding electoral mandates and discouraging detrimental party defections in the political landscape.

Original Source: punchng.com