Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concern over the state of democracy in Nigeria, warning that the country’s democratic system is increasingly being constrained.
Obasanjo said Nigerians were living under conditions that made it difficult for citizens to freely exercise their democratic rights and participate meaningfully in governance.
The former president made the remarks while speaking on the state of democracy in the country, stressing that democratic institutions must be strengthened to protect citizens’ freedoms and ensure accountability.
He warned that democracy cannot thrive where citizens feel restricted or excluded from decisions affecting their lives.
Obasanjo called for renewed efforts to protect democratic values, strengthen institutions and promote responsible leadership, urging Nigerians to remain committed to defending the principles of democracy.
According to Obasanjo: “There is no democracy in Africa, but borrowed and forced liberal democracy that has caged Africans.
“Is there African democracy? Let us not deceive ourselves. There’s nothing like African democracy. We were given Western liberal democracy by our colonial masters.
“For quite some time, I have been increasingly worried about the performance of democracy in Africa, and indeed, in other regions of the world.
“And I believe that the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation was also worried about it, and that was why your theme last year was talking about the death of democracy, or words to that effect.
“Let me emphasise that we are referring to Western liberal democracy because the Chinese will not agree with you that their own democracy is dying. And maybe the Swiss, who have practised some form of direct democracy, may also not agree with you that their democracy is dying.
“Liberal Western democracy is practised in Europe, the Americas, substantial parts of Southeast Asia, and Australia, and, of course, here on the continent of Africa.”
His comments come amid ongoing debates over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, governance and the effectiveness of its political institutions.
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