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ABUJA,Nigeria - Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo; Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Peter Obi; Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Kuka; and former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal have expressed that democracy in Nigeria is not functioning effectively, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms to tackle the nation's challenges.
The leaders made these remarks during the 60th birthday celebration of former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja.
The event also saw the presence of former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; and the immediate past governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari.
Obasanjo remarked that the democratic system in Nigeria and much of Africa has not fulfilled the people's needs.
He stated that the Western model of democracy does not resonate with African cultural values and requirements, asserting, “Democracy in Africa has failed because it is not African.”
He called for a redefinition of democracy to align it better with the continent's cultural contexts for more effective governance.
He commented, “Is democracy failing in Africa? Are we discussing democracy or Western liberal democracy? We should recall that Africa had its own governance form that addressed the people's needs; that is democracy. Abraham Lincoln described it as government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
“But what are we witnessing now? The Greek model of democracy impacts everyone. Today, democracy has transformed into representative democracy and has neglected many.”
Former Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi echoed similar concerns regarding the state of democracy in Nigeria, asserting that it is not functioning.
He recounted his experience fighting for his mandate post-impeachment without resorting to corruption. “Democracy is failing in Nigeria. Everything has crumbled. I didn’t bribe anyone to recover my mandate. When I was impeached, Obasanjo reached out to check on me. Nigeria should adopt the Indonesian model of democracy, which is proportional representation,” said Obi.
Delivering the keynote address titled ‘Is Democracy Failing in Africa?’ Bishop Kukah criticized the use of religion as a weapon in Nigeria, which he viewed as a significant barrier to the country’s democratic progress. He also compared the dynamic between Obasanjo and Atiku to a Catholic marriage, marked by frequent disputes yet remaining intact.
He urged a more sincere and inclusive method to tackle the nation’s issues, noting, “Democracy operates differently for various groups, as evident in their perspectives. There is a belief that citizens have the freedom to revolt.
There’s ongoing debate on whether the Nigerian Constitution is flawless. No Constitution can surpass the teachings of the Bible and Qur’an; nevertheless, we still engage in wrongful acts. The weaponization of religion presents a major challenge.
“Democracy is a continual evolution. The principles of democracy involve endless contests. There are aspects that God has given us that are beyond their control. We, as Africans, inherited a system that is foreign to us, yet we cannot dismiss its relevance. There are contrasts between democracy in Asia and that in Africa. How do we interpret the principles of democracy in Africa?”
He expressed sympathy for judges being coerced into compromising justice.
The cleric added, “I feel pity for judges. During the last election, individuals reached out to me, urging, ‘Talk to this person, talk to that,’ applying pressure on judges to deliver justice. I concur that there’s an urgent need to rectify the existing issues.
“Democracy encompasses everything; it fundamentally represents justice. How do we assess whether democracy is functioning in Nigeria? Should we evaluate democracy based on our aspirations?”
Tambuwal also acknowledged that democracy in Nigeria “is still a work in progress,” emphasizing that its effectiveness is reliant on the dedication of political leaders to uphold the rules.
Regarding the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives recalled the unity demonstrated in the National Assembly during a state of emergency under Obasanjo’s administration, stating that democracy can function when political figures act responsibly.
“Under Obasanjo, a state of emergency was put in place. The National Assembly collaborated to ensure that a two-thirds majority approved the emergency. Each member had to cast their vote. In the current National Assembly, we operate under the same Constitution. What transpired in the latest situation? We must eliminate the bad actors in democracy,” he asserted.
Atiku remarked that Ihedioha, who was Tambuwal’s deputy as speaker, remained faithful to him, even as they navigated different political paths. “Emeka and I have maintained this relationship. Even today, I find him remarkably loyal, committed, and focused. Although we sometimes find ourselves in opposing political factions, our relationship endures, which exemplifies Emeka’s character,” he stated.
