Oluwatosin Enesi
He made these comments at the 60th birthday colloquium of former Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.
Obasanjo argued that Western-style liberal democracy is incompatible with African values, culture, and ways of life. He questioned whether Africans are truly practicing genuine democracy or simply adopting a foreign model.
The former president pointed to pre-colonial African governance systems as examples of indigenous democratic practices that effectively served their communities.
He also referenced Abraham Lincoln’s definition of democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people,” emphasizing that the system should benefit all citizens, not just a privileged few.
“Democracy has now become representative democracy,” Obasanjo lamented.
“Today we have democracy, which is a government of the people, of a small number of people, by a small number of people, over a large number of people who are deprived of what they need to have in life.
“Now that is not democracy that will endure. So if you are talking of democracy failing in Africa, democracy in Africa has failed.”
He attributed this failure to a lack of authentic African content within the current democratic framework.
He criticized the system for enabling corruption and injustice, where those in power amass wealth illegally, leaving the masses without recourse.
“What sort of democracy do you have, and you grab everything illegally and corruptly, and you say go to court?
“Even in the court, you cannot get justice,” he stated.
Obasanjo warned that democracy in Africa is not only failing but is teetering on the brink of extinction unless it undergoes a profound redefinition that incorporates African values and addresses the needs of its people.
He called for an approach that integrates the continent’s rich cultural and historical context to create a governance system that truly delivers for all.
“We have to look at democracy in the context and the context of Africa,” Obasanjo urged.
“I hope that we will get to that stage so that democracy, which will deliver, will be the democracy that we will have in Africa.”
He praised Ihedioha as a determined and good-hearted individual who remained a gentleman even in the face of injustice.
Our Reporter
