Former President Olusegun Obasanjo made a thought-provoking statement on Monday in Abeokuta, suggesting that democracy has failed to effectively govern Africa because it was “forced” onto the continent.

Speaking at a high-level consultation on “Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy for Africa,” Mr. Obasanjo expressed his belief that the Western model of democracy does not adequately represent the views of the majority of people in Africa.

Describing Western Liberal Democracy as a “government of a few people over all the people or population,” Obasanjo highlighted the inherent limitation where only a select few represent the entire population with the majority’s voices often excluded.

Asserting the need for what he termed “Afro Democracy” to replace the current Western Liberal Democracy, Obasanjo emphasized that African countries should not be governed by a system of government in which they have no input into its definition and design.

He pointed out that the shortcomings and failures of liberal democracy, as practiced, stem from its historical background, content, context, and implementation. Obasanjo questioned the exclusion of the minority in a system defined as the rule of the majority and called for a reevaluation of the current system.

Notably, Obasanjo highlighted the irony of the origin of liberal democracy in the West and its adoption by African countries enforced by colonial powers. He called for a critical examination of existing practices and the exploration of alternative systems of governance rooted in African culture, tradition, and societal values.

In his closing remarks, Obasanjo challenged attendees to scrutinize the practice of liberal democracy, identify its shortcomings in African society, and put forward recommendations for a more suitable system of governance.

In response, former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, acknowledged the challenges facing liberal democracy in Africa, emphasizing the need to address the delivery of development outcomes for the people for democracy to be truly impactful.

This messaging from both Obasanjo and Fayemi points to the growing discussions and contemplations within African political circles on redefining democracy to better serve the continent’s unique needs and aspirations.
(Keywords: Obasanjo, Afro Democracy, Western Liberal Democracy, African governance, Kayode Fayemi, African politics)