Former Political Adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Akin Osuntokun, has said that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would not govern Nigeria like a dictator if elected. Akahi News learnt that Osuntokun made the remark while speaking on Nigeria’s political structure and the concentration of power in the presidency.
It is not a child’s play to separate personality from the system in Nigerian politics. But when will the debate move from who becomes president to how much power the office holds? Osuntokun argues that the constitution, not the individual, is the bigger problem.
What Osuntokun Said About Obi and Presidential Power
Akahi News gathered that Osuntokun insisted that even a capable candidate like Obi would still be constrained by Nigeria’s democratic institutions if elected.
“Even if Peter Obi is a good candidate and becomes President, he still has to work with the National Assembly; he is not a dictator,” he said.
He maintained that Nigeria’s political challenges go beyond elections and personalities. According to him, opposition figures and other political actors often ignore the deeper structural issues that shape governance in the country.
The Case for Constitutional Restructuring
Akahi News learnt that Osuntokun argued that the current constitution grants excessive powers to the presidency, creating a system where too much importance is attached to one office.
He called for genuine decentralisation, warning that unless power is devolved more effectively, the presidency will continue to dominate Nigeria’s political system disproportionately. The over-concentration of authority at the centre, he said, fuels unhealthy political competition and contributes to recurring tensions around presidential elections.
His comments add to the long-running debate on restructuring, devolution of powers, and the need to rebalance federal and state responsibilities.
Why Institutional Checks Matter
Osuntokun’s position highlights the role of the National Assembly, judiciary and other institutions in checking executive power. He suggested that no single president, regardless of competence or integrity, can govern outside the limits of the constitutional framework.
For voters, the implication is that electoral choices must be weighed alongside the need for constitutional reforms that reduce the stakes of who controls Aso Rock.
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Osuntokun’s intervention shifts focus from personality politics to structural reform. Whether Nigeria addresses the over-concentration of power at the centre will determine how much difference any president can actually make.
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