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Western Liberal Democracy Not Working For Africa, Says Obasanjo
Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has insisted that Western liberal democracy has not worked for Africa.
Obasanjo said liberal democracy does not take into account the continent’s history, culture and tradition.
The former President explained that the Western style of democracy failed in Africa because it does not consider the views of the majority of the people.
He stated this while delivering his keynote address at a high-level consultation on ‘Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy for Africa’ in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
Obasanjo, the convener of the gathering, described Western liberal democracy as “a government of a few people over all the people or population and these few people are representatives of only some of the people and not full representatives of all the people.
”Invariably, the majority of the people are wittingly or unwittingly kept out, he said.”
He advocated for what he termed, ‘Afro democracy’ in place of Western liberal democracy.
According to him, African countries have no business in operating a system of government in which they have no hand in its “definition and design”
Obasanjo said, “The weakness and failure of liberal democracy as it is practised stem from its history, content and context and its practice.
“Once you move from all the people to a representative of the people, you start to encounter troubles and problems. For those who define it as the rule of the majority, should the minority be ignored, neglected and excluded?
“In short, we have a system of government in which we have no hands to define and design and we continue with it, even when we know that it is not working for us.
“Those who brought it to us are now questioning the rightness of their invention, its deliverability and its relevance today without reform.
“The essence of any system of government is the welfare and well-being of the people: all the people.
“Here, we must interrogate the performance of democracy in the West when it originated from and with us the inheritors of what we are left with by our colonial powers.
“We are here to stop being foolish and stupid. Can we look inward and outward to see what in our country, culture, tradition, practice and living over the years that we can learn from, adopt and adapt with practices everywhere for a changed system of government that will serve our purpose better and deliver?
“We have to think out of the box and after, act with our new thinking. You are invited here to examine clinically the practice of liberal democracy, identify its shortcomings for our society and bring forth ideas and recommendations that can serve our purpose better, knowing human beings for what we are and going by our experiences and the experiences of others.
“We are here to think as leaders of thought in academia and leaders of thought with some experience in politics.”
According to a statement released by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, the holiday is furtherance to the seven days of national mourning declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The statement said the Honourable Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, following the approval of His Excellency, President Tinubu.
The Minister stated that the holiday is a mark of respect for the late President’s service to the nation, his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey, and his enduring legacy in governance and national development.
“President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation. This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld,” the Minister said.
He urged citizens to use the day to honour the late President’s memory by promoting peace, patriotism, and national cohesion, in line with his vision for a prosperous and united Nigeria.
As earlier announced, the National flags are to fly at half mast for the seven days of mourning period from Sunday 13th July, 2025.
The Federal Government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late President, the people of Katsina State, and all Nigerians, while praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Earlier on Monday, Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, announced the burial arrangements for the from Nigerian President, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a hospital in London.
At a press briefing, the Katsina governor said following consultations with the late president’s family and close associates in London, it has been agreed that the remains of the former leader would arrive in Katsina on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, by noon.
He disclosed that the burial would take place in Daura, the hometown of the late president, by 2pm on the same day.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, issued the directive during an unscheduled visit to the facility on Sunday.
He also revealed plans to launch a nationwide emergency care training programme aimed at standardising and improving response capacities across public hospitals.
The visit came in response to a viral video showing victims of an accident allegedly left unattended at the hospital’s emergency unit. The footage, which sparked outrage and allegations of negligence on social media, prompted the government to set up an investigative panel to probe the incident.
Dr. Salako said he received the panel’s report before arriving at the hospital. During the inspection, he engaged with frontline medical staff, assessed infrastructure, and reviewed the facility’s operational readiness to handle emergencies.
“You are in the eye of the storm, responsible for saving lives. Even if you’ve done one million things right, one mistake is what the public will remember,” Salako told the staff during the visit.
As part of immediate corrective measures, the minister ordered the hospital management to increase the number of casualty officers per shift from two to at least four, aimed at improving response time and ensuring newly recruited health assistants are fully integrated into clinical operations.
Salako also identified infrastructure gaps within the emergency unit, calling for urgent upgrades to complement recent improvements in electricity and water supply. “These improvements must be ongoing and focused on patient needs,” he stressed.
On security concerns, hospital officials told the minister that the facility is working with private security firms and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to regulate access to the emergency area.
Salako emphasised the need for enhanced surveillance systems, noting that CCTV footage has proved critical in previous investigations.
Responding to the minister’s inquiries, Head of the Emergency Unit, Dr. Timothy Sama’ila, admitted existing challenges such as limited space, high patient volumes, and staff shortages.
The minister’s visit underscored the government’s renewed commitment to ensuring that all Nigerians have access to prompt and quality emergency care services.
Former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has joined millions of Nigerians in mourning the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a statesman whose leadership embodied integrity, patriotism, and an unwavering commitment to the ideals of national unity and progress.
In a solemn tribute, Ambode recounted the personal and institutional support Buhari extended to Lagos State during his administration, emphasizing that the former president’s actions reflected his deep appreciation for the state’s strategic importance.
“President Buhari was a strong and ardent supporter of Lagos State,” Ambode stated. “During my tenure as Governor, he granted us significant concessions, including the permission to upgrade the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road to a multi-carriage highway and the handover of several federal properties like the Presidential Lodge in Marina.”
He noted that Buhari’s decisions were not merely political gestures but signs of visionary leadership anchored in fairness, equity, and a desire to see every part of Nigeria thrive.
“President Buhari led with dignity, calm resolve, and a fear of God. His belief in the promise of our nation and his deep sense of responsibility to the people defined his time in office,” Ambode said.
While extending condolences to the Buhari family and the nation, Ambode prayed for peace for the departed and comfort for those left behind. “On behalf of my family and myself, I offer our deepest condolences. May Almighty Allah accept his good deeds and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.”
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, is widely remembered for his firm stance on anti-corruption, discipline in governance, and national cohesion.
As tributes continue to pour in, Ambode’s message highlights the enduring legacy Buhari leaves behind, a legacy of service, principle, and commitment to Nigeria’s unity.
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