Former presidential candidate and leader of the Obidient Movement, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over what he described as the systematic erosion of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, warning that weakening the country’s judiciary and other public institutions could have long-term consequences for governance, investment, and national development.
Reflecting on the controversy surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, Obi said he had long feared that the greatest damage would not be the immediate political fallout but the signal it sent about the independence and sanctity of Nigeria’s institutions.
According to him, strong economies are built on trust, and while investors can navigate security challenges, policy changes, and market fluctuations, they are far less willing to invest where there is uncertainty about the rule of law or where the judiciary is perceived to be vulnerable to political influence.
Obi lamented that many Nigerians have lost confidence in institutions that should guarantee justice and fairness, noting that businesses increasingly prefer contracts governed by foreign jurisdictions because they have greater confidence in those legal systems than in Nigeria’s own.
He described the trend as troubling and urged political leaders to resist sacrificing national institutions for short-term political interests.
Commenting on the recent Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political parties, Obi argued that such decisions further diminish public confidence in Nigeria’s legal system. He maintained that the judgment should be reversed in order to restore faith in the judiciary and democratic governance.
Obi pledged that, if given the opportunity to lead, his administration would restore the dignity, independence, and integrity of the judiciary. He said ordinary Nigerians deserve a judicial system that protects their rights, while businesses require legal certainty to encourage investment and economic growth.
He also called on judges, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, legal scholars, and members of the legal profession to defend the rule of law and uphold the independence of the judiciary.
Concluding his remarks, Obi reiterated his belief that “A New Nigeria is Possible,” urging Nigerians to work collectively towards rebuilding institutions that are stronger than individuals and capable of sustaining democracy and national progress.
