Former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised fresh concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that it is under serious threat because it no longer reflects the will and needs of the people.
In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Symfoni TV at the 2025 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, Obi declared that democracy must be more than a ritual of periodic elections. According to him, a true democracy must serve citizens in critical areas such as education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and security.
“Our democracy is threatened because it is no longer serving the will and need of the people. It is no longer accountable. It is no longer delivering results in areas that matter—education, health, and pulling people out of poverty. Once democracy stops caring for the people and stops securing them, everything is threatened,” Obi said.
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As the country prepares for the 2027 general election, Obi urged Nigerians to take ownership of the democratic process and ensure that their votes truly count.
“It is not my strategy, it is the people’s strategy. For democracy to thrive and survive, the people must own it. They must see it as their own,” he stressed.
He reminded Nigerians that the ballot remains their most powerful tool to demand good governance, urging them to register, vote, and insist that every vote must be counted.
“That singular vote they have is what they must use to ensure that those they elect serve them, care for them, and prioritize their needs,” Obi added.
Obi also emphasized that only leaders with competence, character, capacity, compassion, and commitment should be entrusted with power, noting that this is the only way Nigeria can secure its future and restore faith in democracy.
