Nigeria needs a rethink on western-style democracy, develop African model – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for a fundamental rethinking of Nigeria’s democratic system, saying the Western liberal democracy inherited from colonial rule has failed to adequately address Africa’s realities and deliver good governance.

Obasanjo spoke, Tuesday,  while chairing the 2026 Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre, Bauchi, and questioned whether the democratic model imposed on African countries by their former colonial masters was suitable for the continent.

He said  what is commonly referred to as African democracy is essentially Western liberal democracy transplanted into Africa, rather than a system developed from African history, culture, values and social realities.

“There’s nothing like African democracy. We were given Western liberal democracy by our colonial masters,” Obasanjo said, adding that Africa must begin to consider a democratic model with genuine African context and content.

He defined democracy as a system of government in which power belongs to the people, exercised either directly through voting on laws or indirectly through elected representatives.

However, he stated that the ultimate purpose of democracy should go beyond elections and political parties to delivering good governance and improving the welfare and well-being of citizens.

He said a functioning democracy should guarantee equity, inclusion, protection of lives and property, a sense of belonging and freedom from marginalisation and discrimination.

He questioned the role of the judiciary in determining electoral disputes after millions of citizens have cast their votes.

Obasanjo also criticised the growing control of political parties over elected representatives, saying those elected to represent communities and constituencies have increasingly become representatives of their political parties rather than the people who elected them.

“What purpose does it serve that when millions of people have voted, then five people will come to decide either in favour or against the decision of millions of people? Is that democracy?” he asked.