Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has stirred fresh political debate after criticising individuals he described as former defenders of democracy who, according to him, have now become “destroyers” of democratic ideals.
Obi made the remarks in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, where he expressed concern over what he described as a troubling shift in the conduct of those who once fought military rule during the era of late military Head of State, Sani Abacha.
Some prominent figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, were members of the pro-democracy coalition, National Democratic Coalition, which opposed military rule and pushed for the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria.
However, Obi suggested that the conduct of some of those former activists now contradicts the democratic values they once championed.
In the post, Obi wrote:
“Yesterday defenders of democracy, today’s destroyers, What a shame.”
He further described the situation as an irony of history, arguing that individuals who once positioned themselves as champions of democracy now appear to be undermining the same ideals.
“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.”
The former Anambra State governor went further to compare present political realities with the military era, noting that the late Abacha, once widely criticised for authoritarian leadership, could now be viewed differently in light of current developments.
“Today, General Sani Abacha, once presumed face of oppression, will be remembered as seemingly more democratic and more respectful of human rights than the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days. Power indeed reveals character.”
Obi concluded his remarks with his familiar call for national transformation, saying:
“A New Nigeria is POssible.”