Our Reporter, Abuja
African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain and former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Tuesday condemned the alleged teargassing of peaceful protesters, saying the development reinforces Nigeria’s image as a “now disgraced nation.”
Reacting to reports that demonstrators were dispersed while demanding electoral reforms, Obi said citizens were attacked for exercising their constitutional rights.
“Today, in our beloved country Nigeria, harmless citizens performing their constitutionally guaranteed duties peacefully were tear-gassed simply for asking for what is right: free, fair, and credible elections in a democratic nation,” he stated.
The former Anambra State governor accused some political leaders of abandoning democratic principles, declaring that “those who yesterday claimed to be champions of democracy, have today become destroyers of our democracy and the worst enemies of good governance.”
Obi urged Nigerians to unite against what he described as ongoing attempts to undermine the nation’s democratic foundations.
“I urge Nigerians, en masse, to resist these continued evil plans, to stand united against the destruction of our nation and collective future,” he said, adding that citizens must “ensure that free and fair elections are firmly established for the sake of our future.”
He reiterated his call for electoral reforms, insisting on the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to guarantee transparency.
“We insist that there must be real-time mandatory electronic transmission of polling unit results to ensure transparency and trust in our elections,” Obi said.
Expressing optimism about the country’s future, he prayed for strength to rebuild the nation on the pillars of justice and good governance.
“May God grant us the strength to build a better country, founded on free, fair, and credible elections, justice, and good governance, for the future of our dear nation…”
