Professors now aid illiterates to rig elections in Nigeria – Peter Obi

Bauchi: The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised fresh concerns over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, accusing academics, lawyers, religious leaders and the judiciary of contributing to the country’s deepening electoral crisis.

Obi spoke in Bauchi at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue, where he lamented what he described as a disturbing decline in the institutions and values expected to protect democratic governance.

The former Anambra State governor recalled his lengthy legal battle over the 2023 presidential election, contrasting the judicial experience he said he had then with what he believes is happening in Nigeria today.

“Nigerian professors now aid election rigging in Nigeria. I was in court for three years challenging my election, five judges that I never met for one day gave judgment in my favour, it cannot happen in Nigeria of today. I went to the Court of Appeal, five judges I never met gave judgment in my favour.”

Obi argued that the deterioration goes beyond electoral contests, alleging that professionals and institutions that should serve as safeguards for democracy are increasingly being drawn into practices that undermine it.

“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.”

He also criticised the role of religious figures in the political system, accusing some of offering spiritual legitimacy to politicians facing allegations of wrongdoing.

“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.”

Obi’s warning comes ahead of 2027

The remarks come as political activity around the 2027 presidential election continues to intensify.

Obi has since moved into the NDC after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. Reuters reported in May that the move followed internal disputes within the ADC-led opposition coalition and complicated efforts to unite the opposition behind a single presidential candidate.

By May, Obi had been cleared to contest the NDC presidential primary, with the party's screening committee confirming that he had met its constitutional and statutory requirements.

His political positioning has since become more pronounced. In July, an NDC senatorial candidate called on African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore to align with Obi, arguing that such a move could strengthen the opposition's challenge to President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The NDC candidate has also continued to frame his political message around institutional reform, national unity, security, economic recovery and accountable governance.

Against that backdrop, Obi’s latest intervention places electoral integrity and the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions firmly among the issues he is taking into the 2027 political contest.

His central warning was that democracy cannot survive on elections alone if the institutions responsible for protecting the vote, enforcing the law and holding leaders accountable lose public confidence.