Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to defend the independence of the judiciary and protect the integrity of the country’s electoral system, warning that their continued erosion could endanger the nation’s democratic future.
Obi made the call on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue held at the International Conference Centre in Bauchi.
The high-level event attracted former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, serving and former governors, former vice presidents and other political leaders.
Obi commended the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation for sustaining the annual dialogue, describing former President Jonathan as “a true democrat” whose commitment to peace and democratic values deserved recognition.
He also expressed appreciation to the Bauchi State Government and other dignitaries for providing a platform for discussions on the state of democracy in Nigeria.
Reflecting on his personal experience with Nigeria’s judicial system, the former Anambra State governor recalled how he spent three years in court challenging the outcome of the 2003 governorship election in the state.
According to him, he eventually obtained justice from judges he had never met or influenced.
“I never met the judges. Five judges I had never met delivered judgments in my favour. That cannot happen in Nigeria today,” Obi said.
“I was a beneficiary of a process I had no influence over, and it was that judgment that made me governor.”
Obi expressed concern over what he described as disturbing developments in Nigeria’s electoral and judicial processes, saying the country was gradually losing the institutional safeguards required to sustain democracy.
He criticised the involvement of educated Nigerians in defending what he described as flawed electoral processes, while expressing concern over the increasing involvement of young people in criminal political activities.
“Our lawmakers are manipulating the electoral process. Senior professors are defending it.
Our young people are now being lured into criminal political activities. We have a crisis,” he said.
The former governor urged Nigerians to take action before the country’s democratic institutions deteriorate beyond repair.
He challenged citizens to reflect on the direction of the country and the consequences of allowing democratic institutions to continue weakening.
“It is time for every Nigerian to sit down and ask, where is our nation going? We need to reverse this trend.
Because there are things we are allowing today that will come back to hurt our children,” he said.
Obi concluded his remarks with prayers for Nigeria and its leaders, stressing that safeguarding democracy required a sustained commitment from citizens and leaders alike.
The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue is a platform that brings together former and serving political leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders to deliberate on Nigeria’s democratic development, challenges and prospects.
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