Mr Peter Obi, Labour Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has called on political leaders and ordinary citizens to protect democracy jealously and uphold its tenets.

Obi urged leaders to obey the governing laws of the state and be accountable to the people.

The former Anambra governor made the call in a series of tweets on his X handle on Wednesday to commemorate 2024 Democracy Day.

According to him, democracy is beyond elections, but also includes fulfilling the responsibilities of responsible governance as contained in the constitution.

He said the realisation of a society where true democracy thrives is possible.

"As our dear nation marks Democracy Day today, commemorating 25 years of striving to be a democratic country, the fundamental question for all of us remains; are we truly democratic?

"As we build Nigeria, these tenets shall be the pillars of our true democracy. It is possible," he said.

The former presidential candidate lamented that 25 years after, Nigeria was yet to be truly democratic.

"Let us use the commemoration of June 12 as an occasion to return to a truly democratic nation.

"We achieved that feat on June 12, 1993, by collectively voting for democracy in Nigeria. We must stand in defence of Nigeria's democracy today," he added. (NAN)