The transactional nature of Nigerian politics has once again been exposed, and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is sounding the alarm. In a strongly worded statement on Friday, he condemned the overwhelming approval by the National Assembly for President Bola Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration, arguing that true democracy cannot thrive without a functional opposition.
Obi noted that in a genuine democracy, opposition parties act as checks and balances, preventing the ruling party from wielding unchecked power. Comparing Nigeria’s system to South Africa and Indonesia, he highlighted how proportional representation prevents reckless party defections and ensures electoral mandates are upheld. In contrast, Nigeria’s current political landscape allows lawmakers to switch parties without consequence, undermining both democratic institutions and the will of the people.
He warned that what exists in Nigeria is not democracy but a transactional system where power is bartered instead of earned. Without urgent reforms to enforce party discipline and fair representation, the nation’s democracy will remain weak. However, he remained resolute, vowing that the fight for genuine democracy will not stop until real change is achieved.