Democracy in Africa has failed, Leaders now operate by favouritism, power grab – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that democracy in Africa is not just failing but dying, blaming its decline on a lack of alignment with African values and realities.

Speaking at the 60th birthday colloquium of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja, Obasanjo questioned whether the continent was truly practicing democracy or merely adopting a flawed version of Western liberal democracy.

“If you are talking about democracy failing in Africa, democracy in Africa has failed. And why has it failed? Because in context and content, it is not Africa. It does not have any aspect of our culture, our way of life, what we stand for, what we believe,” he stated.

The former president argued that Africa had effective governance systems before colonial rule, which catered to the needs of the people.

He further stated that the current system prioritizes the interests of a few, while the majority are deprived of essential benefits.

“Democracy is meant to be a system of government that delivers to all the people, not just a section of the people. But what do we have today? Representative democracy has not taken care of everybody,” Obasanjo added.

He further criticized the widespread corruption among leaders who, after attaining power, “grab everything illegally and corruptly” while dismissing the public with the phrase, “go to court,” even when justice is unattainable.

According to him, the survival of democracy in Africa depends on adopting a governance system that reflects African traditions and effectively serves the people”.

“If we are going to make democracy not die, we have to look at it in the context and content of Africa,” he concluded”.