Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese Matthew Kukah, and former Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal have expressed concerns that democracy in Nigeria is not functioning as it should, calling for urgent reforms to address governance challenges.
The leaders made these remarks at the 60th birthday celebration of former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja.
Obasanjo: ‘Democracy in Africa Has Failed Because It’s Not African’
Obasanjo criticized the Western model of democracy, arguing that it does not align with African realities.
“Is democracy failing in Africa? Are we talking of democracy or Western liberal democracy? We should remember that, in Africa, we had a form of government that attended to the needs of the people. That is democracy,” he stated.
The former president suggested that Africa must redefine democracy to better reflect its cultural and societal needs.
Peter Obi: ‘Democracy Is Not Working in Nigeria’
Obi also criticized Nigeria’s democratic system, stating that it is failing. Reflecting on his personal political journey, he recalled how he fought for his mandate without bribery after being impeached.
“Democracy is not working in Nigeria. Everything has been knocked down. I didn’t pay a dime to retrieve my mandate,” Obi said.
He suggested that Nigeria should explore the Indonesian model of democracy, which incorporates proportional representation.
Kukah: ‘Weaponization of Religion Hindering Nigeria’s Democracy’
Delivering a keynote speech titled ‘Is Democracy Failing in Africa?’, Bishop Kukah highlighted the negative role of religion in Nigerian politics.
“The weaponization of religion is a big problem,” he noted, emphasizing that democracy is an ongoing process requiring continuous improvement.
Kukah also compared the relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku to a Catholic marriage, stating that they frequently disagree but never part ways.
Tambuwal: ‘Democracy Can Work If Leaders Follow the Rules’
Tambuwal acknowledged that Nigeria’s democracy is still a work in progress, stressing that its success depends on political leaders’ commitment to governance principles.
Referring to the emergency rule declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, he recalled the cooperation within the National Assembly during Obasanjo’s administration, noting:
“Under Obasanjo, a state of emergency was declared. The National Assembly worked together to ensure a two-thirds majority passed the emergency. What happened in the last one? We need to chase out the bad operators in democracy.”
Atiku: ‘Ihedioha Has Proven Loyalty and Dedication’
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar praised Ihedioha for his loyalty and dedication, stating:
“Emeka and I have kept this relationship. Till today, I have found him extremely loyal, dedicated, and focused. Though sometimes we found ourselves on different political divides, we kept our relationship.”
