Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has sharply criticised Nigeria’s lawmakers for what he described as a troubling contradiction in proposed electoral reforms, warning that the country risks bequeathing a weakened democracy to future generations.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Obi questioned the priorities of the political system after lawmakers reportedly moved to impose stiff penalties for dual party membership while simultaneously removing key integrity clauses from election challenges.
“What type of country are we trying to bequeath for our children?” Obi asked.
He pointed out that the same lawmakers proposing a ₦10 million fine and up to two years imprisonment for belonging to two political parties at once have removed certificate forgery, age falsification, and false declarations as grounds for petitioning election tribunals — a move he said directly contradicts the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Obi argued that in any serious democracy, the gravest offence is deceiving the electorate to gain power. “Submitting false documents, falsifying one’s age, forging certificates, and making dishonest declarations to electoral authorities are among the most serious offences,” he said, adding that such acts should lead to automatic disqualification and criminal prosecution.
“Yet today, our electoral system seems more focused on protecting political structures than on upholding the truth,” he added.
“There is no justification for prioritising punishment for party alignment over punishing false certificates, forgery, and other forms of deception in the pursuit of public office,” Obi declared.
He concluded with a direct appeal: “Laws should strengthen democracy, not weaken it. They should promote ethical leadership rather than lower standards for those who aspire to govern.
“A nation cannot rise above the integrity of its leaders. If we truly want a better Nigeria, our laws must defend truth, character, competence, and accountability. We cannot continue to tolerate criminal behaviour.”
Obi ended his post with his usual signature rallying cry: “A New Nigeria is Possible. -PO”
The statement comes amid ongoing debates in the National Assembly over amendments to the Electoral Act, with critics accusing lawmakers of shielding political elites from scrutiny while tightening rules on party loyalty.
Obi’s intervention has already sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians echoing his call for laws that prioritise integrity over political convenience.
