Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has warned that Nigeria is entering a “perilous era of political thuggery,” alleging that violence and intimidation are increasingly being used to suppress opposition politics.
In a statement released on Monday, Obi condemned the reported attack on the convoy of former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and the assault on his supporters during a political event in Rivers State.
According to him, the incident, alongside other recent developments, reflects a worsening climate for democratic participation in the country.
“The recent attack on H.E. Rotimi Amaechi, a prominent opposition figure, and the brutal assault on his supporters during a political event starkly illustrate the deteriorating state of our democracy,” Obi said.
He also referenced the reported burning of offices belonging to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the disruption of political meetings in several parts of the country, describing the incidents as troubling signs of political intolerance.
Obi warned that the failure to arrest and prosecute those responsible for such acts could weaken public confidence in the rule of law and further erode democratic norms.
“The failure to arrest and prosecute those responsible signals a grave danger—the steady erosion of the very foundation of democracy and the entrenchment of lawlessness by those entrusted to enforce the law,” he said.
The former presidential candidate cautioned that continued attacks on political actors could push citizens toward self-help measures in order to exercise their democratic rights.
He stressed that a political system where individuals are attacked for organising meetings, expressing views, or participating in political activities cannot be considered a functioning democracy.
“A nation where thugs dictate who can gather, speak, or campaign is not practicing democracy,” Obi said, urging authorities and citizens alike to reject what he described as a growing culture of political intimidation.
Obi called for a political environment built on the rule of law, accountability, and unrestricted civic participation, adding that Nigeria’s democracy must be anchored on competence, compassion, and commitment to the public good.
