Peter Obi warns that Nigeria’s democracy is collapsing, citing the suspension of Governor Fubara and recalling his own impeachment battle

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has raised alarm over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, stating that it is currently in a state of collapse.

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His remarks came in response to the recent suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, a move he sees as indicative of the erosion of democratic principles in the country.

Speaking on Monday at the 60th birthday colloquium of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Obi drew comparisons between his own experience with impeachment in 2006 and the ongoing political events in Nigeria.

He recalled how the Anambra State House of Assembly had impeached him as governor on November 2, 2006, but the court reinstated him in February 2007 after he successfully challenged the decision.

During that time, Obi revealed, then-President Olusegun Obasanjo had sent a delegation to intervene and prevent his impeachment.

“Ken Nnamani came, begging the house not to impeach me,” Obi said. However, he noted that such intervention is no longer seen under the current administration, pointing to the suspension of Governor Fubara as an example of the collapse of democratic norms.

“Some people came and knocked everything down. That is the situation we are in now. Everything has been knocked down. Nothing works,” Obi stated.

He lamented how the democratic progress Nigeria had experienced since 1999 appears to be reversing under the present leadership, saying, “I became a governor through the court when President Obasanjo and Atiku were in government.

I did not pay the court one naira. I was sitting in my office, and the court declared me the winner. It can’t happen in Nigeria today.”

Obi’s comments reflect growing concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, with critics pointing to the increasing political interference and the weakening of democratic institutions under the current government.

The former Anambra governor concluded that, unlike his own time in office, the present political environment in Nigeria no longer supports the independence of institutions, particularly the judiciary.