Obasanjo: Nigeria’s Democracy Lacks African Context and Fuels Winner-Takes-All Politics

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigeria’s democracy lacks African context and has encouraged a winner-takes-all political culture. Speaking at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, Obasanjo argued that the Western liberal democratic system adopted by many African countries was not designed around African realities. He said the idea of a “loyal opposition” is difficult to apply where opposition is widely viewed as enmity. According to him, this fuels hostility after elections, as winners may seek to marginalise or destroy their opponents. Obasanjo compared the system to wearing a dress that was not tailored for its user, saying Nigeria needs a democratic model that better reflects its own context and political culture.

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