Peter Obi, Nigeria’s 2026 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), criticizes religious leaders for praying for politicians he calls “criminal politicians.” Speaking at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, he links this practice to what he describes as a growing crisis in the country.
Obi also faults Nigeria’s judiciary and electoral system, saying both institutions have declined in standards. He recounts spending three years in court after an election defeat and says judges he had never met ruled in favour of his opponents. He further alleges that electoral safeguards have been weakened, pointing to lawmakers removing forgery as an offence in electoral matters, while lawyers continue to argue cases involving forgery.
The coverage across outlets centers on Obi’s remarks and his broader critique of governance institutions, though they emphasize different elements of his argument, such as the role of religious leadership versus electoral and judicial processes. Overall, all accounts describe the same event, audience, and core claims.
