‘I’m worried about democracy, we’re caged’ – Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has voiced his apprehension regarding the current state of democracy in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Obasanjo, speaking as one of the participants at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue 2026 held in Bauchi State, emphasized that democracy on the African continent is a borrowed concept imposed by Western colonial masters.

Obasanjo asserted, "There is no democracy in Africa, but borrowed and forced liberal democracy that has caged Africans." He further contended that the notion of African democracy is a fallacy, as the continent was left with Western liberal democracy by its former colonizers. The former head of state expressed growing concern over the performance of democracy in Africa and other regions globally.

He noted that the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation must also be worried about this issue, which likely led to the theme of last year's annual event focusing on the 'death of democracy.'

It is crucial to emphasize that Obasanjo was specifically referring to Western liberal democracy, as countries like China and Switzerland do not share the same perspective on their democracies being under threat. These nations, along with various parts of Southeast Asia and Australia, practice forms of liberal democracy inspired by Western models. However, Obasanjo argued that even in these regions, their democracies are far from flawless.

In summary, Obasanjo's statement highlights his concern over the distorted and forced implementation of Western liberal democracy in Africa, which has resulted in an apparent lack of genuine democratic governance and the suppression of African autonomy.