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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Professors now aiding illiterates to rig elections — Obi

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, criticized Nigeria's electoral and judicial institutions.
  • He accused professors of aiding election rigging, lawmakers of weakening electoral laws, and senior lawyers of defending forgery.
  • Obi highlighted a "crisis" in the country, citing politically aligned judges and the erosion of institutional integrity.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has voiced strong criticism regarding the current state of Nigeria's electoral and judicial institutions. Speaking at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, Obi accused academics, lawmakers, and legal professionals of undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

I went to the Court of Appeal; five judges I had never met gave judgment in my favour. So, if you look at that and look at what is happening today in Nigeria, where professors are now aiding illiterates to rig elections.

— Peter Obi, presidential candidateContrasting his past judicial experience with current alleged electoral fraud.

Obi specifically alleged that professors are now complicit in electoral malpractice, assisting "illiterates to rig elections." He further criticized lawmakers for removing forgery as an offense within electoral matters and condemned Senior Advocates of Nigeria for defending forgery. "Our religious leaders are now praying for criminal politicians for blessing. We have a crisis," Obi stated, painting a grim picture of institutional decay.

Contrasting his own experience challenging election results, Obi noted that five judges he had never met ruled in his favor during his appeal. He contrasted this with the present situation, where he perceives a significant deterioration in the fairness and impartiality of the judicial system. Obi also pointed to what he described as politically aligned judges, citing the phrase "On your mandate we stand" as an example of judicial compromise.

Where lawmakers have removed forgery as an offence in electoral matters. And Senior Advocates of Nigeria are defending forgery. Our religious leaders are now praying for criminal politicians for blessing. We have a crisis.

— Peter Obi, presidential candidateDetailing the alleged systemic breakdown in law and order.

Obi characterized these developments as indicative of a broader institutional crisis that requires urgent reversal. His remarks underscore concerns about the rule of law and the health of democratic institutions in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for systemic reform to restore public trust.

And above all, our judges are now singing, On your mandate we stand.

— Peter Obi, presidential candidateCriticizing the perceived political alignment of judges.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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