Former Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi has stated that Nigeria is not operating under a democracy.

He cited the governorship election in Edo State and the state of emergency in Rivers State to show that there is no democracy in Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State to prevent a full blown security crisis due to the political rift between Governor Sim Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Tinubu also suspended Fubara, his Deputy, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months.

Following their suspension, Tinubu appointed a Sole Administrator to take charge of Rivers State.

However, Obi faulted the appointments, stressing that he was not democratically elected by the people of the state.

In an interview with Arise Television, Obi said: “There is no democracy in Nigeria today.”

Asked why he’s running for the 2027 presidential election, he said: “We will continue to be agitating for true democracy.

“The election in Edo, does it show any sign that Nigeria is a democratic country? No, the coffin was nailed by what happened in Rivers State.

“You cannot in any circumstances solve a problem in a Democratic setting by going against rules. You can’t even solve any problem by going against the rules.

“I am committed to a better Nigeria and I have what it takes and I have the experience. Of all those who want to be President today, nobody has my background. I have what it takes, I have operated in the corporate world, and I have been a governor.”