By Obinna Uballa
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the recent use of tear gas against peaceful demonstrators in Nigeria, calling it a “direct assault on democracy” and a reflection of the country’s ongoing political decline.
In a statement on Tuesday, Obi said citizens exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights were attacked for demanding free, fair, and credible elections. “Today, in our beloved country Nigeria, harmless citizens performing their constitutionally guaranteed duties peacefully were tear-gassed simply for asking for what is right: free, fair, and credible elections in a democratic nation,” he said.
Obi accused those in power of betraying democratic principles. “Those who yesterday claimed to be champions of democracy have today become destroyers of our democracy and the worst enemies of good governance,” he added.
The former governor of Anambra urged Nigerians to resist what he described as “continued evil plans” and unite to protect the nation’s democratic future. He stressed the importance of implementing mandatory real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results, which he said is essential to ensuring transparency and public trust in elections.
“Real-time mandatory electronic transmission of polling unit results is non-negotiable. This is the only way to ensure transparency and trust in our elections,” Obi emphasized.
He concluded by calling for divine guidance and national unity: “May God grant us the strength to build a better country, founded on free, fair, and credible elections, justice, and good governance, for the future of our dear nation.”
Obi’s comments come amid ongoing controversy over the recently passed Electoral Act Amendment Bill and clashes between the Senate and House of Representatives over electronic transmission provisions. Civil society groups and opposition parties have echoed his calls, warning that any weakening of e-transmission rules could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
