…..Obi tells COPDEM to help bring real democracy to Nigeria
……Nigeria falls short of its true meaning- Nenadi Usman
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has lamented the state of Nigeria’s democracy, adding that the country is no longer democratic.
The former Anambra Governor in a speech he delivered at the New Nigeria Youth Summit 2025, themed: “Attracting Diaspora Investment, Pulling Nigeria Out of Poverty, and Transforming into a Global Economic Power,” an event organized by the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) and held in Abuja on Thursday, Obi said Nigeria today is not democratic.
“Nigeria Today is not democratic, let nobody deceive you. Democracy has a simple definition: government of the people, by the people, and for the people. None of these components is in Nigeria today. Democracy has a simple environment, it works, it works within the rules and regulations,” Obi said.
While thanking COPDEM for organizing the event, he said, “It is time to organize, because if you are not organize, you will continue to go through problems which we are going through in Nigeria today.”
According to Obi, the interactive session will help us to listen to the youths to learn, as a leader must be a listener
“As we go toward the next election, there is a need for proper scrutiny and verification of those we are trying to vote for. That is where our problem is, when people come and talk to us, when people come and share money to us, when people come and do wrong things, none of us are asking who this person is. What is he going to offer? What is his background?”
Obi said, “In the last election, we voted tribe, we voted religion, now let’s vote competence, so that we can start solving our problems, now let’s vote capacity, so we can start solving problems.”
“Nigeria Today is not democratic, let nobody deceive you. Democracy has a simple definition: government of the people, by the people, and for the people. None of these components is in Nigeria today. Democracy has a simple environment; it works, it works within the rules and regulations.” Obi said.
Obi lampoons the government of the day, adding that it is a government of lies and propaganda, as he said instance, in the build up to the last election, they said they we will give the country uninterrupted electricity, increase in electricity, but as at now, the only increase they have given us is increase in Tariff, the more you pay, the more darkness you get.
“Our unemployment has gone down from 40% to 4%, the streets are filled with youths who are unemployed, and people are not worried. We should all be worried. Nigerians now live in refugee camps, and they call it IDPs. “
“Like what happened in Rivers state, we have a situation where a democratically elected person was removed without the rules and regulations, and it doesn’t worry us, these are things we must now decide to organise ourselves,
According to him, “all of you here can change everything, if you decide to work, maybe COPDEM should change from protecting the democracy to trying to bring the democracy, because there is none to defend now, so COPDEM you have to add to bring democracy in your organisation, because there is nothing to defend.”
Meanwhile, in her speech, Senator Nenadi Usman, said democracy in Nigeria falls short of its true meaning, She made the assertion in her speech, read by her Senior Special Adviser (Media), Ken Asogwa.
Reflecting on the significance of June 12, Usman said it was imperative to honour the sacrifices of Nigeria’s pro-democracy heroes and heroines who, thirty-two years ago, defied tyranny and dreamed of a nation where the people would truly hold sovereign power.
“We remember Chief MKO Abiola, whose blood—like that of many others—watered the fragile seed of our democracy,” she said. “But as we gather here in Abuja to engage on the future of Nigeria, we must ask with honest hearts: Is this the democracy they died for?”
Usman, who spoke on the significance of June 12, said it was imperative to honour the sacrifices of Nigeria’s pro-democracy heroes and heroines who, thirty-two years ago, defied tyranny and dreamed of a nation where the people would truly hold sovereign power.
“We remember Chief MKO Abiola, whose blood—like that of many others—watered the fragile seed of our democracy,” she said.
“But as we gather here in Abuja to engage on the future of Nigeria, we must ask with honest hearts: Is this the democracy they died for?”
According to her, Nigeria’s democracy has become increasingly hollow.
“The bitter truth remains that our democracy often mocks its own name,” she lamented.
“We have made progress in some areas, but the heart of democracy—free, fair, and credible elections; the rule of law; and accountable governance—continues to suffer under the weight of manipulation, impunity, and elite capture.
“Institutions meant to defend the people have been weakened. Elections have become mere rituals, disconnected from the real will of the people. As long as Nigerians cannot freely and confidently choose their leaders without interference or intimidation, the spirit of June 12 cannot rest,” she noted.
Nonetheless, Usman’s message was not one of despair but a passionate call to action—particularly for Nigeria’s youth.
“The theme of this summit could not be timelier. Nigeria stands at a crossroads: one path leads to deepening poverty, insecurity, and global irrelevance; the other leads to a New Nigeria—prosperous, inclusive, and globally respected.
“Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are the leaders of now. Your energy, innovation, and resilience are Nigeria’s greatest untapped assets. From technology and agriculture to entertainment and digital enterprise, Nigerian youth are already building global brands from local ideas. But they cannot succeed alone.”
Also speaking at the summit, National Chairman of COPDEM, Prince Rwang Pam sounded a note of caution regarding youth neglect as he warned of a “silent anger” brewing among young Nigerians, which, if ignored, could lead to negative energy and unrest.
The New Nigeria Youth Summit 2025 event, organised by the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), also has in attendance Ms. Ankio Briggs, Professor Udenta Udenta, who represented Governor Bala Mohammed, and a host of other important personalities.
The event, which is its maiden one, charts a new course where it will encourage active youth participation as well as policy making and cautions against the neglect of the Nigerian youths.
