Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has declared that Nigeria is facing a “systematic assault on democracy,” warning that the country is drifting toward deeper instability amid worsening poverty, insecurity, and political intolerance.
Obi made the remarks on Friday while addressing attendees at the first convention of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) held in Abuja.
Quoting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Obi said: “Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others change their principles for the sake of their party,” as he reflected on recent political realignments and coalition efforts.
The former Anambra State governor expressed appreciation to the NDC leadership, led by Henry Seriake Dickson, for welcoming opposition figures into the party during what he described as a critical moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
He also thanked the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its leadership under David Mark for providing a platform after ongoing legal disputes reportedly affected members of the Labour Party and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
In a strongly worded speech, Obi accused some political actors of abandoning democratic principles and supporting what he called “coercion, manipulation, intimidation, and outright political gangsterism” against opposition voices.
“What we are witnessing is not politics; it is a systematic assault on democracy and the will of the people,” Obi stated.
He painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s socio-economic situation, citing rising inflation, mass unemployment, insecurity, and widespread poverty. According to him, more than 140 million Nigerians are currently living in multidimensional poverty, while businesses continue to shut down under economic pressure.
Obi lamented the growing insecurity across the country, saying farmers can no longer safely access their lands and that hundreds of Nigerians have been killed or kidnapped in recent weeks.
“Nigeria today stands at a dangerous crossroads. Our democracy is under severe threat. Our nation is drifting without direction, and our people are passing through immense suffering,” he said.
The former presidential candidate further argued that Nigeria’s challenges were the result of years of failed leadership and corruption, insisting that the country possesses enough human and natural resources to prosper if governed responsibly.
He urged Nigerians to reject despair and unite to rebuild the country on the foundations of “unity, equity, justice, competence, and productivity.”
