Professors, lawyers, religious leaders aid electoral malpractice, Obi alleges

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has accused sections of the Nigerian elite and key institutions of enabling practices that undermine the country’s democratic process.
Obi specifically alleged that some university professors, senior lawyers, religious leaders and judicial officers had become involved, directly or indirectly, in activities capable of weakening electoral integrity and democratic accountability.
The former Anambra State governor made the allegations on Tuesday while speaking at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, where participants examined the challenges confronting democracy in Nigeria and across Africa.
Obi said the country’s democratic institutions had deteriorated significantly, contrasting the present situation with his experience during his legal battle over the Anambra State governorship election.
He recalled spending three years in court challenging his election and said judges who had never met him personally delivered judgments in his favour, describing such judicial independence as increasingly difficult to witness in Nigeria today.
“I was in court for three years challenging my election, five judges that I never met for one day gave judgement in my favour. It cannot happen in Nigeria of today. I went to Court of Appeal, five judges I never met gave judgement in my favour,” Obi said.
He expressed concern that institutions and professionals expected to protect democratic values were now, in his view, contributing to their erosion.

“So, if you look at that and look at what is happening today in Nigeria where professors are now aiding illiterates to rig elections, where our lawmakers have removed forgery as an offence in electoral matters, and Senior Advocates of Nigeria are defending forgery,” Obi alleged.
He also criticised the role of some religious leaders in the political process, accusing them of seeking divine favour for politicians he described as having criminal records.
“Our religious leaders are now praying for criminal politicians for blessings. We have a crisis. And above all, our judges are now singing on your mandate,” he added.
The NDC candidate urged Nigerians to reject the growing acceptance of practices that, he said, weaken democratic institutions and diminish public confidence in elections, the judiciary and other pillars of governance.
He warned that allowing such practices to become entrenched could impose a heavy burden on future generations.
“We need to reverse this because the abuse we are allowing today will take its revenge on our children,” Obi said.
The 2026 GJF Democracy Dialogue was held under the theme, “Beyond elections, can political parties and the judiciary save African democracy?”
The event was chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed hosted the dialogue, which also attracted constitutional experts and civil society representatives from across Africa.