Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that democracy in Africa is failing, citing the frequent use of courts as a tool to deny justice rather than uphold it.
Speaking on the state of governance, Obasanjo criticised politicians who dismiss grievances by telling people to “go to court,” even when they know the legal system is incapable of delivering true justice.
He made this statement on Monday at an event in Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Intercontinental Hotel.
Obasanjo stated that Africa’s adoption of Western-style democracy has not served its citizens effectively, arguing that the system is alien to African values and governance structures.
“Democracy in Africa has failed because it is not African,” he declared.
He expressed concerns that democracy in its current form had devolved into mere representation rather than true governance for the people.
“Democracy has now become representative democracy, and it hasn’t taken care of everyone,” Obasanjo said.
He contrasted this with the traditional African systems of governance, which he claimed were more attuned to the needs of the people.
“Abraham Lincoln described democracy as government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But what do we have today? The Greek democracy affected everyone. Now, democracy has become representative democracy, and it has not taken care of everyone,” he stated.
The former president further criticised the lack of justice in the democratic process, particularly regarding electoral disputes.
He lamented the common refrain of “go to court” when citizens seek redress, despite the prevailing lack of confidence in the judiciary.
“You will say, ‘go to court’ when you know that you can’t get justice. Democracy is dying in Africa, and to save it, it should be made in the context of Africa,” he added.
Obasanjo called for a redefinition of democracy that aligns with Africa’s cultural realities and historical governance systems.
“We should remember that in Africa, we had a form of government which attended to the needs of the people. That is democracy,” he added.
