Peter Obi critiques Nigeria’s democratic system as transactional and lacking opposition. He argues for reforms emphasizing proportional representation to enhance accountability and preserve democracy’s integrity. Obi highlights that without these changes, the electoral process remains weakened and ineffective, comparing Nigeria’s system unfavorably to countries with robust opposition frameworks. He remains committed to advocating for genuine democratic reforms.
Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in Nigeria, has criticized the nation’s democratic system, asserting that it is merely transactional and currently lacks authentic opposition. His comments followed a recent parliamentary vote, which he argues highlighted critical flaws within Nigeria’s democracy and emphasized the necessity of a functional opposition for democracy to thrive.
In a statement released on Friday through X, Obi underscored that the absence of proportional representation in Nigeria’s legislature undermines accountability and skews electoral outcomes. He stated, “Where there is no functional opposition, democracy cannot thrive. Opposition is a critical pillar of any democratic system, ensuring proper governance and offering alternative perspectives.”
Obi drew comparisons between Nigeria and nations like South Africa and Indonesia, where proportional representation allows various parties to maintain their electoral mandates effectively. He mentioned that in South Africa, the ANC secured approximately 40% of the votes yet holds around 160 of the 400 parliamentary seats, while the DA, obtaining 20%, has about 80 seats.
Obi noted that laws in these countries prevent elected officials from switching parties without losing their seats, thus ensuring party discipline and safeguarding the integrity of electoral mandates. He postulated that if Nigeria employed a similar system, the Senate’s composition would more accurately reflect electoral results, with proportional seat allocations among parties such as the APC and PDP.
However, he lamented the lack of such laws in Nigeria, which permit politicians to defect without repercussions, thereby diluting the opposition’s effectiveness and undermining the electorate’s will. Obi expressed concerns that this situation leads to a distorted democratic process, adding, “What we are left with is not a genuine democratic system, but one that is transactional, compromised, and in many respects, resembles organized criminality.”
Obi cautioned that without urgent reforms to enforce party discipline and ensure equitable representation, Nigeria’s democratic framework would remain unstable and ineffective. He affirmed his commitment to advocating for democratic reforms, stating, “But we will not surrender to criminality. We shall continue to fight for democracy—genuine democracy.”
In summary, Peter Obi has articulated significant concerns regarding the flaws in Nigeria’s democratic structure, highlighting the necessity for a functioning opposition and proportional representation. He asserts that without immediate reforms, the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy is at risk. Obi’s commitment to advocating for genuine democratic principles underscores a crucial call for change to preserve the electoral process. The necessity for party discipline and accountability stands as pivotal in enhancing the nation’s democratic integrity.
Original Source: punchng.com
