“No African context, no African content”: Olusegun Obasanjo questions the Western democratic model in Africa.

In front of a gathering of political leaders, magistrates, and civil society actors, he stated that no true African democracy exists to date, describing the liberal system inherited from colonization as unsuitable for local historical and cultural realities.

​A scathing critique of the electoral system and the judicialization of politics

​Central to his argument, Olusegun Obasanjo condemned the majoritarian electoral model that grants all power to the winner of the election, marginalizing the opposition and fueling structural distrust among the populace.

The former leader also warned about the increasing interference of the judiciary in validating the ballots, asserting that this judicialization of the electoral process risks dispossessing citizens of their sovereignty.

​A continuing plea for an “Afro-democracy”

​This position is consistent with his recent statements. After describing African democracy as a system “on the brink of extinction” in March 2025 in Abuja, Obasanjo theorized the concept of “Afro-democracy” in Abeokuta.

This alternative model aims to draw from pre-colonial governance traditions to address the multicultural realities of the continent.

​These discussions in Bauchi also included remarks from Goodluck Jonathan, who advocated for reducing presidential powers, and opposition leader Peter Obi, who questioned the solidity of Nigerian institutions.

In response to Obasanjo’s frequent comments, the Nigerian presidency, through Bayo Onanuga, had previously reminded him of his own role in establishing the current democratic system during the military transition of 1979.