The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has asked Nigerians to reject the culture of bad governance, injustice and political manipulation.
He warned that the consequences of decisions being taken today could affect future generations.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, made the call in his goodwill message at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue 2026, held at the Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre (ICC), Bauchi, yesterday.
The dialogue, themed, “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties And The Judiciary Save African Democracy”, was attended by political leaders, policymakers, jurists, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders to deliberate on the state of democracy in Africa.
Obi said Nigerians must begin to ask critical questions about the direction of the country and work collectively to reverse the negative trends affecting the nation.
According to him, Nigeria has the potential to become a better and more prosperous country if the citizens unite and demand accountability from those entrusted with political leadership.
He lamented what he described as the increasing erosion of democratic values and the failure of political leaders to prioritise the interests and welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
Obi said the country must move away from a system where political power is used to advance personal interests rather than serve the people.
He urged Nigerians to participate actively in the democratic process, stressing that the citizens must understand what is happening in the country and hold leaders accountable through elections and other constitutional means.
The former governor expressed concern over the challenges confronting Nigeria, including insecurity, economic hardship, poverty and declining public confidence in government institutions.
He called on political leaders and citizens to put aside personal interests and work towards rebuilding the country.
Obi stressed the need for Nigeria to urgently reverse its present course, saying decisions being taken today would ultimately determine the kind of country future generations would inherit.
He therefore called for renewed commitment to democracy, good governance, justice, accountability and national development, urging Nigerians to act now to secure a better future for their children.
Earlier, the executive director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ms. Ann Iyonu, said the GJF Democracy Dialogue had become one of Africa’s premier platforms for fostering high-level discussions on democratic governance, constitutionalism, peacebuilding, leadership and political transitions.
She said the dialogue had, since its inception, brought together current and former heads of state and government, policymakers, jurists, political leaders, development partners, civil society organisations, scholars and other stakeholders to examine the evolving state of democracy in Africa and identify practical pathways for strengthening democratic institutions and promoting sustainable governance.
