The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over what he described as the steady erosion of democratic values and institutions in Nigeria.

Obi spoke on Tuesday during the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue held in Bauchi State, where political leaders, constitutional experts and civil society stakeholders gathered to discuss the future of democracy in Africa.

Reflecting on his legal battle following the 2003 Anambra State governorship election, the former governor recalled spending three years in court before eventually reclaiming his mandate through judicial rulings.

According to him, the independence and integrity demonstrated by the judiciary at the time would be difficult to replicate in present-day Nigeria.

“I was in court for three years challenging my election. Five judges that I never met gave judgment in my favour. I went to the Court of Appeal and five judges I never met also ruled in my favour,” Obi said.

He lamented what he sees as a decline in democratic principles, alleging that some academics, legal practitioners, lawmakers and religious leaders have contributed to practices that weaken the country’s electoral and governance systems.

Obi argued that Nigerians must critically examine the state of democratic institutions and resist actions capable of undermining the credibility of elections and public trust in governance.

“We need to reverse this because the abuse we are allowing today will take its revenge on our children,” he stated.

The dialogue, organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, was themed, ‘Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?’

The event was chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Namadi Sambo, as well as Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who hosted the gathering.

Participants explored the role of political parties, the judiciary and other democratic institutions in strengthening governance across the African continent.