Obi: Nigeria Needs Political Parties Bigger Than Government

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, says Nigeria must develop political parties that are law-abiding, well-structured, and stronger than the government of the day.

He spoke at the public launch 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.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, stressed that political organisations should not depend on the ambitions of individuals to survive.

“We are working hard to build that new Nigeria where we are going to have political parties that will outlive us, that is organised, that will be bigger than the government,” he said.

Politicians and the Decline of Party Systems

According to Obi, many politicians have damaged their own parties by interfering with internal processes and bending the rules for personal gain.

“We now have a situation where those of us who are opportune to be in government have helped to ruin the parties,” he lamented.

He called for political parties that can run like their counterparts in other nations — respected, disciplined, and immune to the whims of those in office.

“Let’s hope that one day, we will have parties that are bigger than government… and will be law-abiding,” Obi added.

A Call to Document Nigeria’s Political Journey

Obi commended writers and journalists who record Nigeria’s democratic story, saying their work helps future generations understand the country’s struggles and progress.

He urged more professionals to document their experiences and insights for public learning and national reflection.

Since the 2023 general elections, the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party have been locked in leadership crises, with court cases deepening divisions ahead of the 2027 polls.

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