The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has decried what he described as the erosion of democratic principles in Nigeria, saying that academic professors now aid election rigging in the country. The former Anambra State governor spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, where he reflected on the state of democracy and governance in the country. Obi recalled spending three years in court challenging his election as Anambra State governor, noting that judges he had never met previously delivered judgments in his favour. He said such an experience would be difficult to replicate in Nigeria today. Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, hosted the event, which also brought together constitutional experts and civil society representatives from across Africa.