The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has faced criticism from the Northern Awareness Network for his remarks on South African elections.

In a post shared on his social media page on Saturday, June 9, 2024, Peter Obi praised South Africa as a shining example of a transparent electoral process.

The former Anambra State governor pointed out the regrettable differences in electoral procedures between Nigeria and South Africa, which he believes reflects Nigeria's ongoing struggles with democratic governance.

In a statement issued by its chairman, Salihu Suleiman, the Northern group argued that the two nations have distinct political histories and contexts, making any comparisons by Obi misleading.

“South Africa has a long history of democracy, having gone through significant political reform and transformation over several decades of practice. On the other hand, Nigeria only transitioned to democracy in 1999 after years of military rule,” he explained.

He further stated that Obi's attempt to compare the electoral experiences of the two countries demonstrates a lack of understanding of their respective political landscapes.

“Peter Obi’s attempt to compare the electoral processes of South Africa and Nigeria is quite ridiculous.

“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 argues that the Nigerian electoral system is still in its infancy, and comparing it to South Africa's more established democracy is not only inaccurate but also unfair to the Nigerian people who have been diligently working to build a functional democracy.