Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has warned that Nigeria is facing what he described as a “dangerous drift” in its democratic practice, following a recent directive by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
In a statement posted on his X handle, Obi expressed concern that regulatory actions targeting broadcast content, especially ahead of general elections, could undermine press freedom and weaken democratic accountability.
He cautioned that the media plays a critical role in governance and should not be treated as an adversary by the state.
“The media remains the conscience of the nation,” he said, warning that any attempt to suppress or over-regulate it could damage Nigeria’s democratic system.
Obi argued that institutions are meant to serve citizens rather than government interests, adding that Nigeria should be more focused on addressing insecurity, economic hardship and rising public frustration rather than controlling media narratives.
“Our focus should not be on controlling media narratives, but on delivering results,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor also expressed concern that perceived intimidation of journalists and restrictions on free expression could further weaken public trust in democratic institutions.
He called for stronger institutional independence, transparency and accountability, stressing that a free press is essential to national stability.
Obi urged authorities to recommit to democratic values, warning that continued restrictions on media freedom could pose risks to Nigeria’s political system ahead of future elections.