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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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J
jaruma

What would a democracy with stronger African context look like in practice without weakening competition or citizens' ability to hold leaders accountable?

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J
julia

I agree. The focus should be institutions that reward cooperation while keeping elections competitive and leaders answerable to citizens.

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M
mel

The winner-takes-all point is familiar, but the real issue may be whether political institutions reward cooperation after elections.

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J
jayjay

Blaming the Western model alone seems too easy; politicians can create exclusionary politics under almost any democratic framework.

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E
emeka

Reform discussions should focus on rules that encourage power-sharing, credible elections, and opposition participation between election cycles.

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