Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi have called for significant reforms of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, with Obasanjo advocating an African-centred model of democracy and Obi warning of what he described as widespread institutional decay.
They spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue held in Bauchi, which was themed “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
Obasanjo, who chaired the event, argued that the Western liberal democratic system adopted by many African countries does not adequately reflect Africa’s history, culture and values.
He said the current winner-takes-all, first-past-the-post system encourages political opponents to treat one another as enemies rather than partners in governance.
According to him, a situation where a candidate can win by a single vote and take full control of power is unhealthy for a diverse society.
The former president also said the idea of a “loyal opposition” inherited from Western politics is difficult to sustain in many African countries because opposition is often perceived as hostility.
Obasanjo stressed that Nigeria’s diversity is central to its existence and warned against any attempt to undermine it.
He further expressed concern about the growing influence of money and inducement in politics and lamented the low participation of women in governance, noting that no woman has been elected governor since the beginning of the Fourth Republic more than 20 years ago.
He urged African countries to develop democratic systems rooted in African history, culture and values, adding that even Western countries are continually reassessing aspects of their own political systems.
Peter Obi, on his part, accused some academics, lawmakers, lawyers, religious leaders and judicial officers of contributing to the weakening of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Recalling his experience challenging an election result at the Court of Appeal, Obi said five judges he had never met ruled in his favour and contrasted that experience with what he described as current problems in the electoral and judicial systems.
He alleged that some professors were assisting electoral malpractice, while lawmakers had weakened electoral laws by removing forgery as an offence in certain electoral matters.
Obi also criticised some senior lawyers for defending individuals accused of forgery and accused some religious leaders of supporting politicians involved in wrongdoing.
He further alleged that sections of the judiciary had become politically aligned, saying the country was facing a serious institutional crisis.
Also speaking, Labour Party National Chairman Nenadi Usman urged politicians preparing for the 2027 elections to emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan’s conduct during the 2015 presidential election.
She said Nigeria avoided a major political crisis in 2015 because Jonathan conceded defeat to Muhammadu Buhari before the final results were fully announced, demonstrating that political power is not worth the blood of citizens.
Usman called on political leaders to place national interest above personal ambition and avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could threaten democratic stability.
She also described the Labour Party as the most structured opposition party in Nigeria, citing its relationship with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The event was attended by Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, APC Deputy National Chairman (South) Dr Ben Nwoye, and the Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, among other political leaders, constitutional experts and civil society representatives.
