Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has criticized former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi for saying that democracy in Nigeria has collapsed.

Obi made the statement at a public event in Abuja on Monday, March 24. He argued that Nigeria’s democracy had suffered a serious decline due to the actions of the current government.

In response, Onanuga posted on X (formerly Twitter) to reject Obi’s claim. He stated that Nigeria’s democracy has remained strong and has continued to grow since 1999. He questioned how a system that has lasted for 26 years could be said to have collapsed.

Onanuga also pointed out that Obi himself benefits from the freedom of speech provided by the same democracy he criticized. He urged Obi to be more careful with his words and warned against making statements that could mislead the public.

‘’I listened multiple times to former Governor Peter Obi’s statement in this clip, where he claims that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria. His hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines, have been made without deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation. How can a democracy that has strengthened over the past 26 years be said to have collapsed? 

Only a discontented and disgruntled Peter, who from the very free speech democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall through his lens. If democracy had indeed collapsed, as Peter claims, and we were living under a regime antithetical to democratic principles, he would not have been able to make his comments on Monday at Emeka Ihedioha’s colloquium. I will urge him to watch what he says and restrain himself from playing to the gallery.’‘

This exchange highlights the ongoing political debates in Nigeria, with leaders expressing different views on the country’s democratic progress.

Obi stated at the event that democracy in Nigeria has weakened significantly because of the decisions made by the current government.

He said;

“They started in 1999, they laid the foundation, some people came and took it a decking, and some people were trying to raise it to the first floor, and some people came and knocked everything down. That’s the situation we are in right now. Everything has been knocked down, nothing works.

I became a governor through the courts. When (former) President (Olusegun) Obasanjo and Atiku (Abubakar) were in government, I did not pay the courts one naira; I was sitting in my house, in an office, and the court declared me winner.

Today, the president impeaches the person. And they were begging in my house not to impeach me, and they were in PDP, I was in APGA. Even when I was impeached, President Obasanjo called me and said, ‘Are you okay? Are you safe?’ I couldn’t believe it. Now the president (referring to the present administration) will ask him not to come back here again,” he said.