Nigeria No Longer True Democracy, Say Atiku, Obi

Last updated: Jun 13, 2025. 6:49 am

By Praise Ben

3 Min Read

Nigeria No Longer True Democracy

Nigeria No Longer True Democracy, Say Atiku, Obi.
Cited economic collapse, authoritarian rule, electoral violations.
PDP warns of one-party state, urges national, global resistance.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi have declared that Nigeria is no longer a functional democracy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In separate Democracy Day messages on Thursday, the 2023 presidential candidates criticised what they described as the Federal Government’s suppression of dissent, erosion of democratic gains, and authoritarian governance style.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Atiku said the sacrifices made during the June 12 struggle had been betrayed, warning that Nigeria was drifting towards a one-party dictatorship. He lamented that the spirit of 1999’s return to democracy was being steadily dismantled. He cited the persecution of opposition voices, economic hardship, and lack of genuine governance, noting that Nigerians were groaning under “economic suffocation” and political domination.

Obi also decried the state of democracy in Nigeria, saying none of the elements of a true people-led government existed. He pointed to rigged elections, disqualified candidates in office, and worsening economic and social conditions. The former Anambra State governor cited the fall of Nigeria’s GDP from $364bn to $188bn, a drop in per capita income to $835, and an increase in poverty rates. He also lamented the decline in healthcare and education, noting that only 20% of primary health centres were functional and over 18 million children were out of school.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) warned of attempts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to impose a one-party regime. In a Democracy Day statement, PDP urged Nigerians, civil society, and international partners to resist the suppression of democratic institutions, the rule of law, and political freedoms.

The opposition party condemned the suspension of elected leaders in Rivers State and other anti-democratic actions, calling them a threat to the nation’s democratic future.