The Presidency has responded to former Governor Peter Obi, who claimed that democracy in Nigeria has collapsed. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, criticized Obi’s remarks, saying they were exaggerated and lacked a solid foundation. Bayo Onanuga disagrees with Peter Obi emphasizing that such claims undermine the progress Nigeria has made.
During a colloquium in Abuja celebrating the 60th birthday of former Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Obi shared his views on Nigeria’s democratic situation. He compared the nation’s democracy to a building that is under construction, saying that while earlier governments laid a strong foundation, the current administration has destroyed the progress made since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.
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Obi stated, “If you looked at where we are today, it’s like they (the PDP) started in 1999, laid the foundation. Some people came and took it to decking, and some people were trying to take it to the first floor, when some people came and knocked everything down.” He also noted a decline in judicial independence compared to past administrations.
Bayo Onanuga disagrees with Peter Obi’s assessment, arguing that, “How can he say that a democracy that has strengthened over the past 26 years can be said to have collapsed? Only a discontented and disgruntled Peter, who benefits from the very free speech that democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall through his lens.”
Onanuga stated, “If democracy had indeed collapsed, as Peter claims, he would not have been able to make his comments on Monday at Emeka Ihedioha’s colloquium. He urged Obi to reconsider his words and avoid sensational statements, “I will urge him to watch what he says and restrain himself from playing to the gallery” Onanuga said.
At the colloquium celebrating the 60th birthday of Emeka Ihedioha, various speakers expressed diverse views on the state of democracy in Nigeria. Among them were former President Olusegun Obasano, Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal, and Bishop Matthew Kukah, both of whom contributed to the discussions on Nigeria’s democratic journey and the need for continuous improvement.
