Nigeria’s inherited democracy does not have African content – Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized Nigeria's inherited democracy, stating that it lacks African content and context. At a 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, Obasanjo lamented the absence of a democratic model that is tailored to the African reality. He argued that the Western liberal democracy, which the nation adopted, was not designed with the continent's unique cultural and political nuances in mind.

Obasanjo likened the adoption of this democracy to wearing an ill-fitting dress, suggesting that it has created a political culture where election winners often disregard the wishes of those who lose. He pointed out that the Western model's roots in monarchy, prevalent in its terminology, leads to a perception of the opposition as an "enemy" in many African languages, making it difficult to foster a healthy, loyal opposition.

Obasanjo emphasized that the Nigerian democratic system is a "winner-takes-all" approach, where the victor claims all the spoils, regardless of the margin or the sentiments of the defeated. He concluded that the inherited democracy does not fit the African context, much like a dress that does not fit due to a lack of proper measurement, and thus fails to serve its intended purpose.