Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi have called for far-reaching reforms of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, with Obasanjo advocating an African model of democracy and Obi accusing key institutions of contributing to the country’s democratic decline.
They spoke at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital. The dialogue, organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, was themed, “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
Obasanjo, who chaired the event, said the Western liberal democracy adopted by many African countries had failed to reflect the continent’s history, culture and values. He described the system as a “winner-takes-all” model that had encouraged political opponents to see one another as enemies rather than partners in governance.
“The democracy we practise has no African context, no African content, and if you try to use what is not meant for you to serve your purpose, it is like a dress for which you are not measured,” he said.
The former President said the first-past-the-post system had created a situation where winning an election by a single vote could give the victor total control. He also argued that the concept of a “loyal opposition” inherited from Western political systems was difficult to sustain in the African context because opposition was often interpreted as enmity.
“So, what do you do with your enemy? You crush him and destroy him, and that is what we have,” he said.
Obasanjo also warned against neglecting Nigeria’s diversity, saying it was fundamental to the country’s identity. He noted that the country’s ethnic and cultural differences must be recognised and properly managed to preserve its unity.
He further expressed concern over the increasing influence of money and inducements in politics, saying they had risen “by leaps and bounds.” He also lamented the under-representation of women in Nigerian politics, noting that no woman had been elected governor since the beginning of the Fourth Republic more than two decades ago.
Obasanjo argued that African countries should not be afraid to review the democratic model inherited from the West, noting that Western countries were also reassessing aspects of their political systems. He called for a system rooted in African history, culture and values.
On his part, Obi accused some academics, lawmakers, lawyers, religious leaders and judicial officers of contributing to the deterioration of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. He alleged that lawmakers had weakened electoral laws, while some senior lawyers were defending persons accused of forgery.
“I went to the Court of Appeal; five judges I had never met gave judgment in my favour. So, look at that and look at what is happening today in Nigeria, where professors are now aiding illiterates to rig elections,” Obi said.
Obi also criticised the judiciary, alleging that some judges had become politically aligned. He further accused religious leaders of supporting politicians facing allegations of criminality, saying the country was experiencing a broader institutional crisis.
“Where lawmakers have removed forgery as an offence in electoral matters, and Senior Advocates of Nigeria are defending forgery. Our religious leaders are now praying for criminal politicians for blessing. We have a crisis,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman, urged politicians preparing for the 2027 elections to emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan’s peaceful conduct during the 2015 presidential election.
Usman said Nigeria’s democracy survived the political tension surrounding the 2015 election because Jonathan conceded defeat to Muhammadu Buhari before the final results were fully announced. She said the former President demonstrated that political power was not worth the blood of Nigerians.
“Nigeria’s democracy survived the doomsday predictions of bookmakers in 2015 because Jonathan conceded defeat in that year’s election, even before the final votes were tallied,” she said.
