Obi Describes Jonathan As True Democrat, Urges Nigerians To Defend Judicial Integrity

By Usman Walin Gungura, Bauchi

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to urgently reflect on the state of the nation’s democracy, warning that the erosion of judicial independence and electoral credibility pose serious threat to the country’s future.

Obi made the call on Tuesday at the 2026 edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue held at the International Conference Centre, Bauchi.

The event was attended by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, serving and former governors, former Vice Presidents, and other political leaders.

Commending the Foundation for sustaining the dialogue, Obi described Jonathan as “a true democrat” whose commitment to peace and democratic values deserve recognition.

Obi thanked the host Governor, Bala Mohammed and other dignitaries for providing the platform for national conversation.

Drawing from his personal experience, Obi recalled spending three years in court challenging the 2003 Anambra governorship election and eventually securing justice.

“I never met the judges. Five judges I had never met, delivered judgments in my favour. That cannot happen in Nigeria today,” he said.

“I was a beneficiary of a process I had no influence over, and it was that judgment that made me governor.”

The former Anambra governor expressed concern over current trends in the electoral and judicial processes.

He lamented that professors and other educated Nigerians were now defending flawed elections, while young people were being drawn into what he described as criminal politics.

“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,” Obi said.

He urged citizens not to wait until the system collapses before acting.

“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 with prayers for the country and its leaders, stressing that daily commitment to democratic principles was necessary to safeguard the future of coming generations.

The Democracy Dialogue, convened by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, brought together former and serving leaders to discuss challenges and prospects for democracy in Nigeria.