Obasanjo Critiques Africa's Winner-Takes-All Democracy

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo criticized the prevalent "winner-takes-all" democracy in Africa, stating it was borrowed from the West and does not fit the continent's realities. He spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, Bauchi State.

Obasanjo likened the adoption of Western liberal democracy to wearing a poorly fitting dress, arguing that it creates a political culture where election winners often disregard their opponents. He highlighted the negative implications of this model, including the perception of opposition as an enemy, which leads to destructive political behavior.

Obasanjo also addressed the poor management of diversity in Nigeria, asserting that the country's identity is rooted in its diversity. He lamented the increasing influence of money in politics and pointed out the gender imbalance, noting that Nigeria has not elected a female governor in over 24 years.

He concluded that democracy in Nigeria requires more than just adopting foreign political structures and must be continuously nurtured.