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Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has renewed his call for African countries to rethink the Western liberal democratic model, arguing that the continent needs a system of government that reflects its own realities and delivers tangible benefits to citizens.

Obasanjo said Africa should develop a democratic system that is rooted in its history, values and aspirations rather than continuing to operate a model inherited from colonial powers.

The former Nigerian leader made the argument while speaking at a colloquium in Abuja, where he examined the challenges facing democracy and governance across the continent.

According to him, democracy must ultimately be judged by whether it improves the welfare and wellbeing of citizens rather than simply by the conduct of elections.

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Obasanjo argued that the representative system currently practised across much of Africa does not adequately accommodate the interests of all citizens.

He contrasted it with aspects of the ancient Greek model of direct participation, while acknowledging that modern states require representative institutions.

The former president said Africa had its own systems of governance before colonial rule and should therefore be willing to examine indigenous approaches when designing modern democratic institution.

His position is not new. Obasanjo has repeatedly criticised what he considers the shortcomings of Western liberal democracy in Africa, arguing that the system has often become dominated by money, elite interests and winner-takes-all politics.

In previous remarks, he described the continent’s political model as one in which a small number of people exercise power over large populations and called for an “Afro Democracy” that would be more responsive to African realities.

He has also urged African leaders to build institutions capable of delivering good governance regardless of who occupies political office.

In March, while marking his 89th birthday, Obasanjo again challenged African leaders to reconsider the form and content of democracy practised on the continent, stressing the need for governance that serves citizens rather than political elites.

The former president’s intervention comes amid renewed debates about the state of democracy in Africa, including concerns over military coups, disputed elections, weak institutions and declining public confidence in political leadership.

Across parts of the continent, young people have increasingly questioned whether elections alone are sufficient to guarantee accountability, economic opportunity and effective governance.

Obasanjo’s argument is that Africa must therefore move beyond simply copying foreign democratic structures and develop institutions suited to its own social and political circumstances.

He maintained that the central purpose of government should remain the welfare of the people, making governance responsive, inclusive and accountable.

The Traffic NG
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo
Amarachi Ihesiulo
The Traffic NG

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