Obi blames religious leaders for praying for 'criminal politicians'

Obi blames Religious Leaders for praying for 'criminal politicians'

By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola

Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 election, has blamed religious leaders for praying for politicians he described as criminals, saying the development is part of the crisis facing Nigeria.

Speaking at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital, Obi criticised the country’s electoral system and judiciary, describing their standards as declining.

Obi also recalled spending three years in court challenging the outcome of his election, noting that five judges he had never met ruled in his favour.

“I was in court for three years challenging my election; five judges that I never met for one day gave judgment in my favour. It cannot happen in Nigeria of today,” he said.

Moreso, he criticised the weakening of electoral safeguards, alleging that lawmakers had removed forgery as an electoral offence, while lawyers continued to defend cases involving forgery.

Obi called for the trend to be reversed, warning that the abuses being tolerated today could have consequences for future generations.

“We need to reverse this because the abuse we are allowing today will take its revenge on our children,” he said.

The dialogue, organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, was held under the theme, “Beyond elections, can political parties and the judiciary save African democracy?”