Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has declared that democracy no longer exists in Nigeria, citing recent political developments in Edo and Rivers States as evidence.
Obi made the claim during an interview on Arise Television, where he expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Edo governorship election as well as the recent political crisis in Rivers State.
His remarks come in the wake of President Bola Tinubuās declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State to avert an escalating security crisis stemming from the political rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

As part of the intervention, Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, and subsequently appointed a Sole Administrator to oversee the stateās affairs.
Faulting the development, Obi said the imposition of a Sole Administratorāwho was not democratically elected by the peopleācontradicted the principles of democracy.
āThere is no democracy in Nigeria today,ā Obi insisted.
When asked why he remains interested in contesting the 2027 presidential election, Obi said: āWe will continue to agitate for true democracy.ā
He questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process and governance, pointing to the Edo election and the Rivers State situation as clear signs of democratic failure.
āThe election in Edoādoes it reflect any sign that Nigeria is a democratic country? No. The coffin was nailed by what happened in Rivers State. You cannot, in any circumstance, solve a problem in a democratic setting by going against the rules,ā he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to Nigeriaās development, Obi added: āI am committed to a better Nigeria. I have what it takes, and I have the experience. Of all those who want to be President today, nobody has my background. I have operated in the corporate world, and I have been a governor.ā
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