- Peter Obi emphasized protecting democracy, upholding laws, and ensuring accountability to the people, highlighting that democracy involves responsible governance
- He expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s progress in achieving true democracy, urging the commemoration of June 12 as a reminder to return to genuine democratic practices
Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has called on political leaders and citizens to protect democracy and uphold its principles. In a series of tweets on his X handle on Wednesday, commemorating Democracy Day 2024, Obi emphasized the importance of adhering to the state’s laws and being accountable to the people.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra, stated that democracy goes beyond just elections; it also involves responsible governance as outlined in the constitution. He stressed that a society where true democracy thrives is attainable.
“As our dear nation marks Democracy Day today, commemorating 25 years of striving to be a democratic country, the fundamental question for all of us remains: are we truly democratic?” Obi asked. “As we build Nigeria, these tenets shall be the pillars of our true democracy. It is possible.”
Obi expressed his disappointment that, despite 25 years of effort, Nigeria has yet to achieve true democracy. He called for the commemoration of June 12 to serve as a reminder and an opportunity to return to genuine democratic practices.
“We achieved that feat on June 12, 1993, by collectively voting for democracy in Nigeria. We must defend Nigeria’s democracy today,” he added.