Obasanjo Advocates for ‘Afro Democracy,’ Criticizes Western Liberal Democracy in Africa
Obasanjo Advocates for ‘Afro……
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has cautioned that the Western Liberal Democracy model is not effectively serving the needs of Africa. Speaking at a high-level consultation in Abeokuta, Ogun state, Obasanjo emphasized that the Western-style democracy has inherent flaws when applied to African contexts.
Obasanjo, in his keynote address on “Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy for Africa,” argued that the Western system, which is based on representation, often neglects the views of the majority. He highlighted the fundamental flaw in Western Liberal Democracy, describing it as a “government of a few people over all the people or population.” He stressed that the representatives in such a system only account for some of the people, not the entirety of the population.
Advocating for an alternative, Obasanjo proposed what he termed “Afro democracy” as a more suitable governance model for Africa. He urged a critical examination of the performance of liberal democracy in the West, questioning its relevance and effectiveness in the African context.
Obasanjo urged participants to consider alternative governance systems, drawing on the rich cultural, traditional, and historical experiences of African societies. He emphasized the need to think innovatively and act on new ideas to create a changed system of government that better serves the welfare and well-being of all people.
The former President called on leaders of thought in academia and experienced politicians to collaborate in reevaluating and reforming governance structures. He urged participants to contribute ideas and recommendations for a governance system that aligns with Africa’s unique cultural and societal values.
Obasanjo’s remarks reflect a growing discourse on the need for Africa to explore governance models that are better suited to its cultural and historical context, emphasizing the importance of adopting practices that serve the welfare of the entire population.
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