The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has criticised the state of Nigeria’s electoral and judicial institutions, accusing professors of aiding electoral malpractice, lawmakers of weakening electoral laws and senior lawyers of defending forgery.

Obi spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital, where he contrasted his experience challenging his election in court with what he described as the deterioration of the country’s institutions.

“I went to the Court of Appeal; five judges I had never met gave judgment in my favour. So, if you look at that and look at what is happening today in Nigeria, where professors are now aiding illiterates to rig elections,” Obi said.

He added, “Where lawmakers have removed forgery as an offence in electoral matters. And Senior Advocates of Nigeria are defending forgery. Our religious leaders are now praying for criminal politicians for blessing. We have a crisis.”

Obi also took aim at the judiciary, alleging that some judges had become politically aligned.

“And above all, our judges are now singing, On your mandate we stand,’” he said.

The former Anambra State Governor said the developments were a sign of a wider institutional crisis that needed to be reversed.