A prominent international human rights lawyer and former member of the House of Representatives, Kayode Oladele, has faulted the recent statement by the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing it as naive, reckless and a distortion of Nigeria’s democratic history.
Obi had, in a post on his X handle, suggested that late Head of State, Sani Abacha, now appears more democratic than some individuals who fought for democracy during the military era.
Reacting in a statement on Friday, Oladele said there was no basis for comparing a military dictatorship with a democratic system, noting that the Abacha regime represented one of the darkest periods in Nigeria’s political history.
He said, “There is nothing democratic about the Abacha years. That era was characterised by repression, violation of human rights, and the silencing of opposition voices. To suggest otherwise is to ignore the painful experiences of Nigerians who lived through that period.”
Oladele also defended the legacy of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), describing its members as patriots who sacrificed their comfort and safety to restore democracy after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
According to him, “The men and women of NADECO stood firmly against military rule at great personal cost. Many were detained, harassed, or forced into exile. Their sacrifices laid the foundation for the democracy we enjoy today, and it is wrong to diminish their contributions.”
The human rights lawyer who was once forced into exile by Abacha junta expressed concern over what he described as the growing trend of making sensational statements for political relevance, stressing that public figures must exercise restraint and responsibility in their comments.
He added that Nigeria’s democracy, though not perfect, guarantees fundamental freedoms that were absent under military regimes, including freedom of speech, association, and political participation.
Oladele said, “Our democracy is a product of years of struggle and sacrifice. While there are challenges, it remains far better than any form of military rule. We must not allow careless remarks to distort history or undermine the progress we have made.”
He urged political leaders to focus on providing solutions to national challenges rather than engaging in what he termed revisionist narratives.
As of the time of filing this report, Peter Obi had not issued any further clarification on the statement.
Oladele, however, called on Nigerians to remain committed to democratic ideals and to reject any attempt to glorify authoritarian rule or diminish the sacrifices of those who fought for the nation’s freedom.
