The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has charged the Federal Government (FG) to prioritise good governance and poverty alleviation as part of efforts to reinforce Nigeria’s democracy.
This comes after Mr. Obi attended a National Dialogue themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity”, held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Abuja on Monday.
Elucidating on the subject matter in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Obi explained that for democracy in Africa to thrive beyond its current fragile state, it must operate within its foundational tenets, going beyond ceremonial elections.
This, he said, requires building critical institutions that command trust and deliver absolute respect for the people’s will. Governance can only deliver tangible benefits when the will of the people prevails.
“I most sincerely express my gratitude to the keynote speaker, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a distinguished African democrat who displayed exemplary statesmanship by conceding defeat to John Dramani Mahama before the final election results. His actions upheld democratic principles, reinforced Ghana’s reputation for stability, and highlighted the respect for the people’s will, which is essential for democratic growth.
“With about 100 million Nigerians living in absolute poverty and 150 million in multidimensional poverty, democracy is fast losing its essence if the government fails to address the fundamental needs of its citizens, particularly in critical areas such as health, education, and poverty alleviation,” he wrote.
“We must confront the fundamental question: is democracy truly addressing the needs of Nigerians? Are we building institutions that uphold accountability, justice, and fairness?,” the former Anambra State Governor asked, emphasising that for Nigeria to achieve a functional democracy, the government must prioritise strengthening independent institutions and fostering governance that delivers economic and social progress.
The philanthropist said that the government must also encourage active citizenship to hold leaders accountable, and empower the youths as drivers of nation-building.
He highlighted the devastating impact of poverty and injustice in a country, quoting Nelson Mandela, who once said: “As long as poverty, injustice, and inequality exist, none of us can truly rest.”
The politician noted that now is the time to deepen democracy and build a better future for all Nigerians.
“Amid the rise of coups across Africa and the growing fragility of democracies globally, it is evident that democracy cannot thrive without trust, robust institutions, and a steadfast commitment to the welfare of the people,” he added.
