posted 21st March 2025
Peter Obi Decries Nigeria’s “Fragile and Dysfunctional” Democracy After Parliamentary Vote
Lagos, Nigeria – 21 March 2025
Peter Obi, a prominent Nigerian politician and leader of the Labour Party, has lambasted the state of democracy in Nigeria following a parliamentary vote held yesterday. In a strongly worded statement posted on X, Obi argued that the absence of a functional opposition and the lack of proportional representation have rendered Nigeria’s democratic system “transactional, compromised, and, in many respects, resembling organised criminality.”
Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election, pointed to the parliamentary vote as evidence that “democracy, in its true sense, does not exist in Nigeria.” He emphasised that a robust opposition is a cornerstone of any democratic system, serving to hold the ruling party accountable, ensure good governance, and provide alternative perspectives. However, he lamented that such an opposition cannot thrive in Nigeria’s current political framework, which he claims lacks the mechanisms to support fair representation.
Drawing comparisons with countries like South Africa and Indonesia, Obi highlighted how proportional representation fosters credible democratic processes. In South Africa, he noted, the National Assembly’s 400 seats are distributed based on vote share, with the African National Congress (ANC) holding approximately 160 seats (40% of the vote) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) securing around 80 seats (20% of the vote), alongside other parties. Similarly, in Indonesia, electoral systems ensure that party leaders remain prominent figures, and laws prevent elected officials from switching parties without losing their seats—a measure Obi praised for maintaining party discipline and respecting the electorate’s mandate.
In contrast, Obi argued that Nigeria’s system is deeply flawed. With the Senate comprising 109 seats, he suggested that a proportional model would see the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) holding 44 seats, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) under Atiku Abubakar with 33 seats, and his Labour Party with 27 seats. The House of Representatives, he added, should reflect a similar balance: roughly 144 APC members, 108 PDP members, and 90 Labour Party members. Yet, Nigeria’s political reality falls far short of this ideal, largely due to the absence of laws prohibiting party defection.
“The absence of laws restricting party defection allows politicians to switch allegiances freely and without consequence,” Obi wrote. “This not only weakens the opposition but also makes a mockery of the electorate’s will and undermines the integrity of our democratic institutions.” He warned that this unchecked flexibility has reduced Nigeria’s democracy to a transactional system, eroding public trust and accountability.
Obi’s critique comes amid growing concerns about political instability and governance in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. Analysts have long pointed to party defections—often dubbed “political prostitution”—as a destabilising factor, with lawmakers frequently crossing the floor to join the ruling party in exchange for personal gain. This practice, Obi argued, has left Nigeria with a democracy that is “fragile and dysfunctional.”
Despite his scathing assessment, Obi struck a defiant note, vowing to continue the struggle for reform. “We will not surrender to criminality,” he declared. “We shall continue to fight for democracy—genuine democracy.” He called for urgent reforms to entrench democratic principles, enforce party discipline, and ensure fair representation, warning that without such changes, Nigeria’s political system would remain vulnerable.
Obi’s comments have sparked a flurry of reactions online, with supporters rallying behind his vision for a reformed democracy, while critics accuse him of oversimplifying the country’s complex political challenges. As Nigeria grapples with economic hardship and security threats, the debate over the health of its democracy is likely to intensify in the months ahead.
