The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over what he described as the declining integrity of Nigeria’s electoral and judicial institutions.
Obi spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, where he criticised alleged weaknesses in the electoral system, legislative reforms and the conduct of some legal and judicial practitioners.
Reflecting on his previous legal challenge to an election outcome, the former Anambra State governor said the judiciary had once demonstrated greater independence.
He said, “I went to the Court of Appeal; five judges I had never met gave judgment in my favour.”
Obi, however, lamented what he described as a deterioration in the electoral process, alleging that individuals with academic expertise were now being used to facilitate electoral malpractice.
He said, “If you look at that and look at what is happening today in Nigeria, where professors are now aiding illiterates to rig elections.”
The former governor also criticised lawmakers over changes to electoral laws, alleging that forgery had been removed as an offence in electoral matters.
He further accused some senior lawyers of defending individuals involved in alleged forgery, while also expressing concern about the role of religious leaders in politics.
“Where lawmakers have removed forgery as an offence in electoral matters. And Senior Advocates of Nigeria are defending forgery. Our religious leaders are now praying for criminal politicians for blessing. We have a crisis,” he said.
Obi also raised concerns about the judiciary, alleging that some judges had become politically aligned.
He said, “And above all, our judges are now singing, ‘On your mandate we stand.’”
According to him, the developments point to a broader institutional crisis that requires urgent action to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
He stressed the need to reverse the decline in the country’s democratic institutions and strengthen the systems responsible for conducting elections and administering justice.
