Abuja, Nigeria – Prominent Nigerian leaders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Matthew Hassan Kukah, and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, have raised concerns over the state of democracy in Nigeria. Speaking at the 60th birthday celebration of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja, they highlighted the urgent need for democratic reforms to address the nation’s challenges.
At the event, which was attended by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, and former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, Obasanjo criticized the Western model of democracy, arguing that it does not align with African values.
Obasanjo: ‘Democracy in Africa Has Failed Because It’s Not African’
Obasanjo questioned the effectiveness of democracy as currently practiced in Nigeria and much of Africa, emphasizing the need for a system that reflects the continent’s cultural realities.
“Democracy in Africa has failed because it is not African; it does not align with our culture and way of life,” he stated. He further lamented that while democracy should serve the people, it has instead become a tool of exclusion, adding, “You say, ‘go to court,’ but you know you can’t get justice. Democracy is dying in Africa, and to save it, we must redefine it in the African context.”
Obi: ‘Democracy in Nigeria is Not Working’
Echoing Obasanjo’s concerns, Peter Obi described Nigeria’s democracy as dysfunctional, citing his personal experience of fighting to reclaim his mandate after being impeached as Anambra State governor.
“Democracy is not working in Nigeria. Everything has been knocked down. When I was impeached, President Obasanjo called to ask about my welfare. Today, such interventions are unlikely. Instead, we see a system where the president himself is involved in impeachments,” Obi lamented.
He further argued that Nigeria should adopt a model similar to Indonesia’s proportional representation system, which he believes would better serve the people.
Kukah: ‘Weaponization of Religion is a Major Threat to Democracy’
Delivering the keynote address titled “Is Democracy Failing in Africa?” Bishop Kukah identified religious divisions as a major obstacle to Nigeria’s democratic development.
“The weaponization of religion is a big problem in Nigeria. Democracy is a continuous process, but in Nigeria, we are still struggling with issues that should have been resolved,” he said.
Kukah also drew attention to the pressure on the judiciary during elections, stating, “Even I, a cleric, received calls from people asking me to influence judicial decisions. Judges are under immense pressure, and this must change if democracy is to thrive.”
Tambuwal: ‘Democracy is a Work in Progress’
Former Governor Aminu Tambuwal emphasized that democracy in Nigeria remains a work in progress but stressed that its success depends on political leaders adhering to democratic principles.
“Democracy will work if the actors play by the rules. We have the same constitution, yet different administrations handle crises differently. We need to remove bad actors from the system,” Tambuwal asserted.
Calls for Constitutional Review and True Federalism
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku and other speakers advocated for a constitutional review to address Nigeria’s challenges.
“We need a new constitution that promotes true federalism. The nature of our politics and the conduct of our politicians remain major obstacles to democratic stability,” Anyaoku stated.
Ihedioha: ‘We Must Defend Democracy’
Expressing gratitude to attendees, the celebrant, Emeka Ihedioha, reaffirmed his commitment to democracy, urging Nigerians to speak truth to power.
“I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of democracy. We must rise to defend it. There is life beyond money, and for me, democracy is till God do us part,” he declared.
The gathering of political heavyweights underscored growing concerns over Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, with calls for urgent reforms, judicial independence, and a governance system that truly serves the people. Whether these discussions translate into meaningful change remains to be seen, but the consensus among Nigeria’s political elite is clear—democracy in its current form is not working, and urgent action is needed to restore faith in the system.
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