The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has said that the “current trend of endemic corruption, abuse of the constitution, disrespect for the rule of law, and transactional politics” cuts across Nigeria’s executive, legislative and judicial arms and threatens the country’s democracy.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, said this on Friday in a statement he posted on X (formerly Twitter) as Nigeria joined other countries of the world to mark this year’s International Democracy Day celebration.
The Labour Party presidential candidate who is challenging the election of President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said that if the “mindless” erosion of the ideals and tenets on which Nigeria’s democracy was built is not checked, the country will be pushed into deeper lawlessness.
According to him, Nigeria has continued to swing dangerously away from the boundaries of true democracy and the country is gradually losing respect for the rule of law which is one of the biggest intangible assets that makes a nation strong.
He said, “On this year’s celebration of International Democracy Day, we must remind ourselves of the need to work together to build and deepen our nation’s democracy.
“As witnessed in the country today, the mindless erosion of the very ideals and tenets on which Nigeria’s democracy was built, if not checked, will only push the nation deeper into lawlessness.
“The current trend of endemic corruption, abuse of the constitution, disrespect for the rule of law, and transactional politics which cuts across the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government, have continued to conflict with our nation’s enforcement of democracy.
“Consequently, our dear nation has continued to swing dangerously away from the boundaries of true democracy. Gradually, we are losing one of the biggest intangible assets that makes a nation strong, which is respect for the rule of law. “I call on all Nigerians to remain committed to building and reinforcing our nation’s democracy. Once again, I restate my commitment to a new and truly democratic Nigeria. I am in this struggle solely for the betterment of our society.
“My vision of a New and truly democratic Nigeria is borne out of the deep conviction that Nigeria if given good leadership as I offer to give, will be beneficial to every Nigerian. We must not give up on our nation because a New and Truly Democratic Nigeria is POssible.”
