By Ayomide Otitoju
Former Anambra State Governor and politician, Peter Obi, has expressed concerns over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, stating that it is “fast losing its essence” due to widespread poverty in the country.
Obi highlighted alarming statistics, noting that approximately 100 million Nigerians live in absolute poverty, while 150 million face multidimensional poverty. He emphasized that democracy is failing if it cannot address the basic needs of citizens, particularly in critical sectors such as health, education, and poverty alleviation.
“With about 100 million Nigerians living in absolute poverty and 150 million in multidimensional poverty, democracy is fast losing its essence if it fails to address the fundamental needs of its citizens,” Obi stated.
He urged leaders to tackle poverty by strengthening independent institutions, promoting economic progress, and fostering governance that prioritizes the welfare of the people.
“We must confront the fundamental question: Is democracy truly addressing the needs of Nigerians? Are we building institutions that uphold accountability, justice, and fairness? To achieve a functional democracy, we must prioritize strengthening independent institutions, fostering governance that delivers economic and social progress, encouraging active citizenship to hold leaders accountable, and empowering our youth as drivers of nation-building.”
Citing Nelson Mandela, Obi added, “As long as poverty, injustice, and inequality exist, none of us can truly rest. Now is the time to deepen democracy and build a better future for all Nigerians.”
Obi also pointed to the rising number of coups across Africa and the fragility of democracies globally, stating that democracy cannot thrive without trust, strong institutions, and a commitment to the people’s welfare. He called for African democracies to go beyond ceremonial elections by upholding foundational democratic principles, building institutions that command trust, and ensuring the people’s will is respected.
“Governance can only deliver tangible benefits when the will of the people prevails,” Obi concluded.
