Presidency cautions Peter Obi over democracy comments

March 25, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has advised Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, to be mindful of his statements regarding the state of democracy in Nigeria.

Obi had claimed that democracy in Nigeria had collapsed, citing the erosion of progress made since the country’s return to civilian rule in 1999.

Obi made these comments while speaking at the 60th birthday colloquium for former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja. He stated, “If you looked at where we are today, it’s like, they (the PDP) started in 1999, laid the foundation.

“Some people came and took it to decking, and some people were trying to take it to the first floor, when some people came and knocked everything down.”

Obi further emphasized, “That is the situation we are now. Everything has been knocked down and nothing works. I am somebody who can say this, exemplarily.

“I became a Governor through the courts when President Obasanjo and Atiku were in government. I did not pay the court one naira.

“I was sitting in my office and the court declared me winner, when a governor was not seeing them. This cannot happen in Nigeria today.”

Onanuga responded to Obi’s comments, dismissing them as exaggerated and lacking logical foundation.

He wrote, “I listened multiple times to former Governor Peter Obi’s statement in this clip, where he claims that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria.

“His hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines, have been made without deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation.”

Onanuga argued that if democracy had indeed collapsed, Obi would not have been able to express his views freely.

He stated, “Only a discontented and disgruntled Peter, who benefits from the very free speech democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall through his lens. If democracy had indeed collapsed, as Peter claims, and we were living under a regime antithetical to democratic principles, he would not have been able to make his comments on Monday.”

Onanuga cautioned Obi against making statements that could mislead the public, urging him to exercise restraint.

He added, “I will urge him to watch what he says and restrain himself from playing to the gallery”