Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo recently made waves with a powerful statement: he believes Nigeria should look beyond Western-style democracy and adopt a political system rooted in African culture. Speaking at a farewell event for the vice-chancellor of Chrisland University, Obasanjo shared his views on how Western democracy, originally brought to Africa by colonial powers, isn’t a good fit for the continent. According to Obasanjo, Western democracy is flawed, even for the countries that created it.
Obasanjo expressed frustration with the Western democratic model, which often focuses on competition and opposition, rather than unity and cooperation. In his words, African culture emphasizes “communalism” – a way of coming together, discussing issues, and solving problems as a community. He argued that democracy, in an African context, should focus on unity rather than constant opposition. “Our culture doesn’t talk about opposition. It’s about coming together, reasoning together, ironing things out, and then working together,” he explained.
This isn’t the first time Obasanjo has voiced these ideas. Just last year, he spoke at a conference on “Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy for Africa,” where he stressed that Western-style democracy was imposed on Africa by colonial rulers, without consideration for the continent’s rich history and cultural diversity. He described Western democracy as a government “of a few people over the entire population,” calling it unsuitable for African societies that have long traditions of inclusive decision-making.
Obasanjo’s call for a new approach comes at a time when West and Central Africa have seen multiple military coups in response to failing governments. In the last four years alone, countries like Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger have experienced these sudden power changes, suggesting a growing dissatisfaction with the current system. Some observers believe that Western democratic ideals may not have addressed the unique challenges African countries face, leading to instability and frustration.
Nigeria itself only transitioned to democracy in 1999, after years of military rule. Obasanjo, who had previously served as a military leader before becoming a civilian president, was one of the architects of Nigeria’s current democratic system. Today, he’s one of its biggest critics, urging his country to reconsider and adopt a political structure that genuinely reflects African values.
Obasanjo’s message has sparked conversations across Nigeria and beyond, with some agreeing that African countries should forge their own path, while others believe the continent should continue its democratic journey. At its core, his call for a system that respects Africa’s history and culture is stirring a new conversation about what democracy could look like for African societies.
