Obasanjo, Obi Warn of Democracy’s Decline in Africa and Nigeria
Written by SpringNewsNG Media Limited, March 25, 2025.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, have expressed grave concerns over the state of democracy in Africa and Nigeria. Speaking at the 60th birthday colloquium for former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja, Obasanjo stated that democracy in Africa was not merely failing but dying due to its lack of alignment with African values and realities. Obi, on his part, argued that democracy in Nigeria was collapsing as successive governments undid the efforts of their predecessors.
http://ObasanjoObasanjo, who chaired the event, questioned whether Africa was truly practicing democracy or merely adopting a flawed version of Western liberal democracy. According to him, pre-colonial African governance systems were more attuned to the needs of the people. He lamented that modern democratic systems have allowed leaders to amass wealth corruptly while denying the masses justice. He advocated for an “Afro Democracy” tailored to African realities, rather than a blind adoption of Western models.
Obi, reinforcing Obasanjo’s stance, described Nigeria’s democracy as one in disarray, citing instances from his tenure as Anambra governor. He recalled how he was restored to office through the courts without financial inducements and how former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Yar’Adua intervened in his political struggles. He lamented that such impartial judicial processes are no longer possible in Nigeria today. He further criticized the release of withheld federation allocations to Rivers State’s sole administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling, arguing that it set a dangerous precedent.
However, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, and former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, took a slightly different position, asserting that democracy remains a work in progress. Kukah emphasized that democracy provides opportunities for correction and improvement, much like the evolution of the American constitution. Tambuwal concurred, stressing that adherence to democratic rules ensures its functionality.
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, expressed concern over the resurgence of military coups in sub-Saharan Africa, warning that they threatened to return the continent to the instability of the 1960s. He called for constitutional reforms to promote true federalism and effective diversity management in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, dismissed claims that democracy in Nigeria had collapsed. He argued that Obi’s comments were driven by his failed presidential ambition rather than genuine concerns. Omokri pointed out that past Nigerian leaders had declared states of emergency without such dramatic assertions of democratic failure. He also accused Obi of hypocrisy, noting that he failed to conduct local government elections in Anambra for seven years while in office.
The event also saw former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and several other dignitaries eulogizing Ihedioha as a dedicated politician. Among the attendees were former National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Uche Secondus, and former governors, including Chibuike Amaechi, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and Kayode Fayemi. Former Senate Presidents David Mark, Ken Nnamani, and Adolphus Wabara, as well as current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, were also present.
