What Makes Democracy Die? Lessons from Nigeria — Peter Obi Speaks in Ghana

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By Abdullahi Inuwa 

Accra, Ghana — At a time when democratic institutions across Africa face mounting scrutiny, former Nigerian presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised urgent questions about the state of governance in his home country. Speaking yesterday, September 17, at the 2025 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Annual Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Obi delivered a frank and sobering message under the theme: “What Makes Democracy Die?”

Obi, who has emerged as one of the continent’s strongest voices for good governance, did not mince words. For him, democracy is not simply about elections, nor is it a ritual of ballots and ceremonies. True democracy, he stressed, must deliver accountability, provide security, ensure access to healthcare and education, and, above all, lift citizens out of poverty.

“Democracy dies when it ceases to be accountable to the people and when it no longer prioritises their needs,” Obi declared, drawing a sharp contrast between the ideals of governance and the harsh realities on the ground in Nigeria.

Nigeria: A Democracy in Decline

Using Nigeria as a case study, Obi painted a grim picture of a nation where democratic values are steadily eroding. In his view, what passes for democracy in Nigeria today has become little more than “elite state capture,” where the ruling class uses elections as a gateway to public resources, not as a mandate to serve the people.

“In Nigeria, democracy has become a process of elite state capture, granting access to public resources for personal and family interests,” he said.

The audience, made up of former presidents, global policymakers, and civil society leaders, listened intently as Obi underscored the dangers of allowing such trends to fester unchecked. The Nigerian example, he argued, offers a cautionary tale for other democracies across Africa that may be drifting towards similar dysfunction.

The Warning Signs

According to Obi, democracy begins to falter when:

  • Leaders abandon accountability and transparency.
  • Governance no longer prioritises the security and welfare of citizens.
  • Education and healthcare are neglected, leaving millions behind.
  • Poverty is widespread, while leaders enrich themselves at the expense of the masses.

These, he said, are not abstract theories but lived realities in Nigeria. The result is disillusionment among citizens, declining voter trust, and, ultimately, the weakening of democratic institutions.

The Path to Renewal

Despite his sobering diagnosis, Obi’s message was not one of despair but of possibility. He stressed that Nigeria, and by extension Africa, can reclaim democracy — but only if citizens take their civic duties seriously.

“To reverse this situation, Nigerians must take democracy and elections seriously by ensuring that only people with competence, capacity, character, compassion, and commitment to service are elected,” he urged.

For Obi, the way forward lies in electing leaders driven not by greed but by genuine service, and in citizens refusing to sell their votes or allow themselves to be manipulated by ethnicity, religion, or patronage politics.

Why It Matters for Africa

Obi’s remarks at the Accra gathering resonated with the conference’s larger theme — understanding what makes democracy fail, and how it can be safeguarded in fragile contexts. For Africa, where military coups and authoritarian tendencies have recently resurfaced, his message was a timely reminder that the greatest threat to democracy often comes not from external enemies, but from within.

By citing Nigeria — Africa’s most populous country and its largest economy — as a warning sign, Obi underscored that when democracy falters in Nigeria, the ripple effects are felt far beyond its borders.

A Call to Action

In conclusion, Obi’s words rang with both urgency and hope. While he acknowledged the failures of Nigeria’s political system, he also spoke of a “new Nigeria” that is possible — one where democracy is reclaimed by the people and redirected towards their welfare.

His final call was clear: democracy will only thrive if citizens demand accountability, insist on competence, and refuse to accept mediocrity in leadership. Anything less, he warned, risks consigning democracy in Nigeria — and perhaps across the continent — to the dustbin of history.

“A new Nigeria is possible,” Obi said with conviction, leaving the audience with a vision that was both a challenge and an iinspiration.

 

Abdullahi Inuwa Social Commentator ainuwa303@gmail.com 


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