Former Labor Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has denied participation in the coalition against ruling President Bola Tinubu and all Congress progressives in 2027.
Obi made the clarification on Monday in Abuja while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a two-day national conference to strengthen democracy in Nigeria.
Checks revealed that certain bosses in the dominant opposition political parties and the ruling All Progressives Congress have been involved in discussions to form a coalition to dislodge the APC.
The former governor of Anambra State stated that what should be paramount for politicians should be an eradication of poverty, fixing public schools, hospitals and security of lives and property.
He said: “Well, for me, the important thing is to discuss Nigeria. Whether we're going to do Coalition… let's talk about the future of the country, but we often leave the country and what we need to do and talk about the energy grab.
“I am not interested in any coalition with the purpose of seizing power. This is about discussing Nigeria. “How do we care about insuring Nigerians?
“How do we care about the common person in Nigeria? “How do we care that our children are in school? That's the most important thing for now.”
Obi also called for concerted efforts to stop financial incentive in politics.
“That's what we need to eliminate, because what you're doing is you're encouraging the theft of public money.
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“Because if I steal it and use it to win elections, then I get all the power and everything, including immunity from prosecution. Then we must stop it. That's what drives theft.”
Presenting his keynote address, on the theme of the speech, “Strengthening Nigeria's Democracy: Path to Good Governance and Political Integrity”, Former Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who incidentally was a candidate presidential party of Ghana's new patriotic party in The last general election in the West African country, identified the bastardization of state institutions as a major threat to democracy.
He said “Mr. President, one of the most important determinants of a flourishing democracy is the quality of institutions; institutions capable of guaranteeing rights, including property rights, and checking wanton abuse of power.
“These institutions include independent electoral management bodies, the judiciary, the ombudsman, the police, other law enforcement agencies and many others…
“Famous economists such as Dani Rodrick, Daron Acemolgu and others have come to a firm conclusion that when it comes to the determinants of growth, the quality of institutions rises above all else.
“Unfortunately, while the culture of peacefully electing leaders is entrenched, these institutions are becoming weak and endangered. “
The former presidential candidate equally expressed concern about growing poverty in the West African sub-region and, by extension, the continent as a threat to democracy, as he noted that the electorate is beginning to lose faith in representative government.
He said: “Mr. President, one of the biggest threats to democracy today is what I call the next meal. Before I make my point, I need to revisit the words of one of Africa's greatest sons, the distinguished Nelson Mandela , namely, 'as long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality exist in our world, none of us can truly rest.'
“Ladies and gentlemen, democracy must be a means to an end. The best democracy is one that delivers public goods and services effectively and efficiently, and creates opportunities for citizens while making conscious efforts to leave no one behind.
“For sub-Saharan Africa, the data suggests that we do not have an option to do nothing. In 2024, the World Bank estimated that two-thirds of the world's extreme poor live in sub-Saharan Africa.
“At home, the World Bank’s 2024 review reveals that more than half of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty.
“For Nigeria, and indeed much of sub-Saharan Africa, our work is cut out for us. We need to take decisive action to demonstrate that governing is advancing the interest and well-being of the people.
“We need to reconfigure our economic systems, processes and institutions in a way that prioritizes the next meal for the majority of our people. For too long, the focus has been on checking the boxes in democratic institutions to the neglect of what those institutions have been able to produce for the average citizen.
“The person who can't afford the next 'EBA' meal is unlikely to appreciate any data on democratic progress.
“Ladies and gentlemen, there is growing apprehension among citizens about the relevance and usefulness of government institutions, and many people are losing faith in these institutions.
“This is worrying and portends a bleak future for democratic sustenance if we do not rise to the occasion, and quickly too.
“For our democracy to remain relevant and sustainable, actors must ensure that citizens have confidence in the democratic system to address their needs and concerns, particularly basic needs, which I call the next food principle.”
In his article, “Democracy in Nigeria: Challenges, Prospects and the 2027 Elections”, Professor Jibrin Ibrahim lamented the absence of ideological parties, leaving an indifferent and confused electorate at the mercy of political platforms he claimed are run by drug barons. and they are led by drug barons and warlords.
He said: “The most serious threat is the way the party system has developed.
“The key characteristics are that the parties do not have members but barons, warlords who impose their interests. The political parties we have lost their identities in terms of their manifestos and what they represent.
“The moment people cannot identify what the parties represent, it becomes impossible to have democratic engagement.
“A situation in which they (political parties) do not commit to the ideals of democracy.
“The real result is increased apathy. People have lost the right to exercise power because it has been confiscated from them. That creates the crisis of apathy.
“We must revive the belief that it is possible for Nigerians to regain their political power through the ballot.”
In his goodwill message, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Alhaji Hakeem Baba Ahmed, urged those entrusted with the mandate to govern to live up to the expectations of the people by protecting their interest.
He argued that transparent governance and genuine commitment to the needs of citizens would ensure democracy against military dictatorship.
He added: “There is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of elected leaders in Nigeria to market our democracy in terms of the quality of governance and their conduct and disposition towards the rule of law and respect for the well-being and security of citizens .
“Nigerian democracy must mean much more than asking Nigerians to line up every four years to elect leaders. It must mean, in practical terms, that leaders engage with the demands of the elected leadership in very transparent manners, that the mandates they are given to make them serve the interests of the people, the custodians of their assets and the protectors of your interests.
“The best leaders are people who wield power only to advance the interests of their people. These interests include making laws that are consistent with the economic well-being and security of the citizen; that the judiciary is free from interference and corruption; that governance institutions and structures operate to the highest standards of efficiency and integrity; that the voices of citizens are heard and respected not only during elections; and the basic rules of competition between parties and interests are respected.
“The challenge for leaders in democratic systems is to lead with the vision that identifies a path and a destination that ultimately benefits citizens, even when some have legitimate reservations or problems with them.
“I would like to assure Nigerians that our administration is very aware of many concerns about our direction and objectives, particularly given the difficulties that some of our policies inevitably generate.”
Nigerian Tribune