The Northern Awareness Network has slammed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, for his comments on the recent South African election.
Obi had compared the electoral processes of both Nigeria and South Africa, lamenting the disparities in transparency.
However, the northern group has dismissed his comparison as misleading and ridiculous.
In a statement, the group’s chairman, Salihu Suleiman, explained that South Africa has a long history of democracy, having undergone significant political reforms over several decades. In contrast, he said Nigeria only transitioned to democracy in 1999 after years of military rule.
Suleiman argued that Obi’s attempt to juxtapose the electoral experiences of both countries demonstrates a lack of understanding of their respective political landscapes.
“The two countries are at different stages of democratic development, and it would be more prudent to focus on addressing the specific challenges facing the Nigerian electoral system rather than drawing unwarranted comparisons,” he said.
The group added that Nigeria’s electoral system is still in its infancy and comparing it to South Africa’s more mature democracy is inaccurate and unfair to the Nigerian people, who have been working diligently to build a functioning democracy.
Obi has been urged to focus on addressing the specific challenges facing the Nigerian electoral system rather than drawing unwarranted comparisons.
