The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to stay committed to building democratic political parties that are stronger than the government itself.
He made the call during the public presentation of two books authored by veteran journalist Ike Abonyi: The Bubbles of Nigeria’s Democracy: The Musings of a Nigerian Journalist and Wadata Wonders: Memoirs of a Partisan Journalist.
According to Obi, building a truly democratic Nigeria depends on creating structured, law-abiding political parties that will outlast individual officeholders.
“We must work hard to build a new Nigeria where political parties are stronger than government,” Obi stated. “Today, people in government have weakened party structures. We need to reverse this trend and establish parties that uphold values, transparency, and the rule of law.”
Journalists Urged to Shape Political Discourse
Obi encouraged journalists with in-depth knowledge of the nation’s political space to write more about Nigeria’s democracy to educate the public and deepen political consciousness.
He praised writers like Abonyi for their contributions and called for a renewed commitment to civic education through informed reporting and documentation.
Secondus Decries Nigeria’s Broken Democracy
Also speaking at the event, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, lamented the lack of consistency among Nigerian politicians. He criticized the culture of party-hopping, describing it as a symptom of a broken system.
“You cannot build a democracy when politicians treat parties like vehicles they can hop in and out of,” Secondus remarked. “Until we build parties that last 30, 40, or even 50 years, Nigeria will continue to struggle democratically.”
He emphasized the need for long-term political party development to secure the country’s democratic future.
Oloja Calls for Diverse Political Voices
Mr. Martins Oloja, former Managing Director of The Guardian Newspaper, reviewed the books. He challenged journalists to promote alternative political viewpoints and uphold press freedom in the face of increasing political pressure.
“Democracy thrives on diverse voices,” Oloja said. “We must make room for dissent and allow various perspectives to be heard if we want a just society.”
Abonyi Reflects on Transition from Journalism to Politics
In his appreciation speech, Ike Abonyi described his transition from journalism to politics as unplanned. He shared how he was persuaded to join the PDP despite initial reservations, especially during Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo’s tenure as party chairman.
Abonyi revealed that Nwodo’s vision of digital membership registration was sabotaged by internal party resistance, ultimately leading to Nwodo’s early departure and the PDP’s long-standing decline.
“The real political wonders are not in the book,” Abonyi noted, “because they couldn’t be published.”
The event underscored the urgent need for political reform, transparency, and institutional growth in Nigeria. Thought leaders, journalists, and politicians alike agreed that a strong democratic culture must begin with robust political parties that operate beyond personal ambitions.
