Obasanjo Advocates for African Democracy Model

On Tuesday, during the 2026 Democracy Dialogue organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre in Bauchi, former President Olusegun Obasanjo called for a fundamental rethinking of Nigeria's democratic system. He criticized the Western liberal democracy inherited from colonial rule, stating it has failed to address Africa's realities and deliver good governance.

Obasanjo argued that what is termed African democracy is merely Western liberal democracy transplanted into Africa, lacking a foundation in African history and culture. He defined democracy as a system where power belongs to the people, exercised through voting or elected representatives, but stressed that its purpose should extend beyond elections to ensure good governance and citizen welfare.

He raised concerns about the judiciary's role in electoral disputes and criticized the dominance of political parties over elected representatives, questioning the legitimacy of decisions made by a few individuals after millions have voted.