Abeokuta, Ogun state – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has explained why Western democracy is not working as a system of government in the continent of Africa.
Obasanjo said democracy is not working in Africa because it was “forced” on the continent, Vanguard reported.
Obasanjo said democracy was forced on Africa
Photo Credit: Atiku AbubakarSource: Facebook
He stated this while speaking at a high-level consultation on “Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy for Africa” in Abeokuta, Ogun state, on Monday, November 20, Vanguard reported.
Obasanjo argued that Western Liberal Democracy is 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.”
As reported by Daily Trust, Obasanjo added that African countries have no input in the “definition and design” of Western democracy and, hence, see no reason for practising the system of government.
The former Nigerian leader called for what he termed “Afro democracy” in place of Western liberal democracy.
“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 a rule of the majority, should the minority be ignored, neglected and be 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.
Obasanjo reveals how to stop military coups in Africa
Meanwhile, AmbaJay reported that Obasanjo disclosed that he joined politics by accident.
The former president said he joined politics because of his love for people and humanity.
He called on the youths to ensure that they join politics to serve their country.
Obasanjo: Why youths are supporting rising coups In Africa
Obasanjo said rising coups in Africa show the youths are looking for liberators.
He noted that young people’s support for coups could be viewed as a way of bypassing perceived hardship.
He, however, said his experience in the hands of former military dictator, late General Sanni Abacha, would not make him support a coup.
