Obasanjo Critiques Nigeria's Democracy at Bauchi Dialogue

At the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue held in Bauchi, Bauchi State, former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed concerns regarding Nigeria's democracy, stating it lacks African content and context. He argued that the Western liberal democracy inherited by many African nations does not align with the continent's realities, creating a winner-takes-all political culture.

Obasanjo likened this adoption to wearing a dress that does not fit, indicating that the current system disregards the voices of those who lose elections. He explained that the concept of "loyal opposition" in a Western context does not translate well in Africa, where opposition is often viewed as an enemy.

This adversarial perspective leads to a political environment where the winning party disregards the losing party, reinforcing a culture of conflict rather than collaboration.