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Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised some individuals he described as former defenders of democracy, accusing them of betraying the ideals they once championed.
In a post on X on Thursday, Obi expressed concern about what he called a reversal of values among certain political actors active during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggles. He noted that individuals who had previously positioned themselves as advocates for human rights and democratic governance during the era of Sani Abacha are now, in his view, acting contrary to those principles.
“What an irony of history, that the acclaimed defenders of democracy and human rights who claimed to have fought for democracy during the era of General Sani Abacha now find themselves worse than the man they opposed,” he said.
He suggested that their current actions reflect a departure from the ideals associated with the pro-democracy movement, particularly those linked to the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
The former Anambra State governor went further to state that the legacy of General Abacha, long regarded as a symbol of repression, is now being re-evaluated in comparison to the conduct of some contemporary political figures.
According to him, this contrast raises critical questions about leadership, accountability, and commitment to democratic values.
Obi concluded by reiterating his belief in the possibility of national renewal, emphasising that Nigeria’s future depends on leaders who remain consistent in upholding democratic principles and prioritising the public good.
