Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo recently voiced significant reservations regarding the current state of democracy across Africa. Speaking at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue 2026 held in Bauchi State, Obasanjo argued that the system currently in place is an imported, artificial structure that has effectively constrained the continent.
Obasanjo explicitly stated that Africa lacks an indigenous democratic model, instead operating under a Western liberal framework handed down by colonial powers. He asserted that this forced imposition has failed to reflect the true needs of the people. While addressing the audience, he suggested that the decline of these systems is a global concern, though he noted that nations like China and Switzerland operate under different democratic frameworks that may not face similar pressures.
The former president highlighted that this Western-centric model remains prevalent throughout Europe, the Americas, Australia, and parts of Southeast Asia, yet its application in Africa remains deeply problematic. His comments mirror broader discussions regarding the effectiveness of imported political systems in managing diverse African states.
