Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has emphasized the need for African leaders to reassess the form of democracy inherited from the West, advocating for a model that aligns with African heritage and prioritizes the welfare of the people. Speaking at the Summit on the State of Democracy in Africa at the Yar’adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, Obasanjo highlighted the importance of developing a democracy that genuinely serves all African people.
He called on African leaders to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to the welfare of their citizens, asserting that effective democracy in Nigeria and across Africa must be grounded in principles of good leadership, robust institutions, and the rule of law. Obasanjo described democracy as governance based on the consent of the people, with a clear mandate free from corruption and focused on the masses’ welfare.
The summit, organized by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Foundation, with support from the Ford Foundation and Trust Africa, addressed the benefits, challenges, and threats to democracy in Africa.
