Peter Obi Criticises Electoral Law Changes, Warns of Threat to Accountability

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has criticised recent changes to Nigeria’s electoral laws, warning that they could undermine accountability and ethical leadership in the country.

Obi made the remarks in a post shared on his verified X handle on Friday.

According to him, there is a troubling contradiction in the country’s political system, noting that while lawmakers have proposed penalties of up to N10 million in fines and two years imprisonment for dual political party membership, they have simultaneously removed certificate forgery, age falsification and false declarations as grounds for challenging an election at a tribunal.

He argued that the move contradicts provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In any serious democracy, the gravest offence in public life is deceiving the people to gain power,” Obi said.

He stressed that submitting false documents, falsifying age, forging certificates and making dishonest declarations to electoral authorities are among the most serious offences in democratic systems.

According to him, such actions should automatically lead to disqualification and criminal prosecution.

Obi further argued that the current system appears to prioritise protecting political structures rather than upholding truth and accountability.

“There is no justification for prioritising punishment for party alignment over punishing false certificates, forgery and other forms of deception in the pursuit of public office,” he stated.

The former Anambra State governor added that laws should strengthen democracy rather than weaken it.

“Laws should promote ethical leadership rather than lower standards for those who aspire to govern. A nation cannot rise above the integrity of its leaders,” he said.

Obi concluded his statement by reiterating his belief that “a new Nigeria is possible.”