Lokoja court judgment on NDC a setback for democracy— Obi
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi has described the recent Lokoja court judgment as “an unnecessary serious setback for Nigerian democracy,” warning that it threatens the independence and credibility of key democratic institutions.
Obi made the remarks in a statement issued on Friday after receiving news of the court ruling while attending an engagement at Madonna University.
“Every Nigerian committed to the country’s progress should be deeply concerned. This judgment represents another setback for our democracy and the institutions upon which our future depends,” he said.
According to Obi, the judgment reflects a worrying trend of weakening democratic institutions, alleging that those who claim to support democracy are undermining its foundations.
“It is regrettable that some who claim to champion democracy now appear determined to weaken the very institutions that sustain it. In doing so, they are undermining public confidence and endangering the future of millions of Nigerians,” he stated.
The former Anambra State governor said both the legislature and the judiciary were increasingly being drawn into what he described as institutional decline.
“The legislature and the judiciary are increasingly being drawn into this pattern of institutional decline. Democracy cannot thrive where institutions lose their independence and credibility,” Obi said.
He maintained that attempts to erode democratic institutions would not succeed, noting that he had taken a similar position when developments affected the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
