Peter Obi, has criticized Nigeria’s democratic system, asserting that the lack of a strong opposition has rendered true democracy ineffective in the country.
Speaking in reaction to a recent parliamentary vote, Obi stated, “Democracy, in its true sense, does not exist in Nigeria. Where there is no functional opposition, democracy cannot thrive.”
He emphasized that an effective opposition is essential for holding the ruling party accountable and providing alternative policies. To achieve this, he advocated for Nigeria to adopt a proportional representation system, similar to those in South Africa and Indonesia, where legislative seats are distributed based on the percentage of votes each party receives.
“In South Africa, for instance, the National Assembly’s 400 seats are shared based on election results. The African National Congress (ANC) holds about 160 seats with 40% of the vote, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) holds around 80 seats with 20% of the vote. This system ensures fair representation,” Obi explained.
He also called for laws preventing elected officials from switching parties without forfeiting their seats, arguing that Nigeria’s current system allows for “political opportunism” that weakens the opposition and distorts electoral outcomes.
“If we had such a structure in Nigeria, our Senate—comprising 109 seats—would reflect electoral realities, with APC holding 44 seats, PDP 33 under Atiku, and Labour Party 27 under my leadership,” he stated. “The absence of anti-defection laws makes a mockery of the electorate’s will and weakens our democracy.”
Obi described Nigeria’s political system as “transactional, compromised, and, in many respects, resembling organized criminality,” but vowed to continue advocating for genuine democracy.
“We will not surrender to criminality. We shall continue to fight for real democracy,” he declared.
His remarks have reignited discussions on electoral reforms, with growing calls for a legal framework to strengthen opposition politics and uphold democratic integrity in Nigeria.
