Peter Obi, chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has warned Nigerians to remain vigilant or risk losing their freedoms. He made the statement in a post on his verified X account on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of protecting democratic principles beyond just elections.
Obi was responding to a tweet by former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani and highlighted concerns over government actions that undermine democracy. He cited issues such as the killing of protesters, intimidation of judges, punishment of free speech, and disregard for court orders as examples of democratic erosion.
The former Anambra State governor argued that when such abuses occur, democracies—whether in developed or developing countries—risk becoming authoritarian in practice, despite their democratic labels. He stressed that both first-world and third-world democracies are increasingly showing similar authoritarian tendencies.
Obi emphasized that democracy is more than the act of voting. It involves protecting dissent, upholding institutions, and respecting citizens’ rights. He warned that when these pillars collapse, the legitimacy of the entire system is threatened.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain alert and proactive in safeguarding their rights. “Citizens must stay vigilant or risk watching their freedoms vanish before their eyes,” Obi wrote, underscoring the urgent need for public engagement in defending democratic values.