Peter Obi: Nigeria must build parties stronger than government

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to commit to building political parties that are stronger than the government and guided by the rule of law.

Obi made the appeal at the public presentation of two books 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.

Speaking at the event, Obi emphasized the need for Nigerians, especially political stakeholders, to focus on institutionalizing political parties that can endure beyond individuals in government.

“We are working hard to build that new Nigeria where we’ll have political parties that will outlive us—parties that are organised, law-abiding, and bigger than the government itself,” Obi said.

He criticized the current political climate where those in power often weaken their own parties, adding that Nigeria must aspire to have political institutions similar to those in developed democracies.

Obi also urged journalists with deep insights into Nigeria’s political landscape to write more, contributing to public understanding of the country’s political system.

Also speaking at the event, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, lamented the current state of Nigeria’s democracy, which he described as broken.

According to Secondus, a functional political system requires long-term commitment by members who are willing to build and reform their parties over decades.

“We have a democracy where individuals jump from one party to another, behaving as if it’s normal. That’s not how real democracies work. People should spend 30, 40, or 50 years building their parties,” he said.

Secondus emphasized that Nigeria’s challenges are too great for any one person to solve and urged collective citizen action to rebuild the system.

Reviewing the books, former Managing Director of The Guardian newspaper, Mr. Martins Oloja, encouraged journalists to emulate Abonyi by promoting alternative views in their work. He said the role of the media is vital in ensuring democracy functions through diverse perspectives and critical voices.

“Alternative views serve as a check on power and promote a more inclusive and just society. That’s what Abonyi’s work exemplifies,” Oloja said.

In his remarks, Ike Abonyi shared that his move from journalism into partisan politics was accidental. He recounted how he was persuaded by Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo to join the PDP as a media adviser, despite his initial reluctance.

Abonyi narrated that Nwodo’s attempt to introduce a digital registration system in the PDP—aimed at making the party financially independent from elected officials—was blocked by governors who feared losing control, ultimately forcing Nwodo out of office within six months.

He noted that many of the most revealing details of his time at the party could not be published, adding, “The real wonders are not in the book—they can’t be published.”

The event highlighted the importance of political reform, media responsibility, and the role of committed individuals in reshaping Nigeria’s democratic future.