Africa must develop a form of government that reflects its culture, history – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says the type of democracy practised in Africa was inherited and not fit for purpose.

He spoke on Tuesday at the democracy dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Bauchi state.

The dialogue was themed, ‘Beyond elections: can political parties and the judiciary save African democracy?’

In his speech, Obasanjo said it would amount to self-deceit if Africa believes that there is a term called ‘African democracy’.

The ex-military ruler said the continent inherited “Western liberal democracy” from colonial masters.

He added that while opposition parties in Western societies coexist cordially with the ruling government, the opposition in Africa is often seen as an enemy.

“Is there African democracy? Let us not deceive ourselves, there is nothing like African democracy. We were given western liberal democracy by our colonial masters,” the former president said.

“The Western liberal democracy that we inherited pulls from monarchy, hence we can have a government and loyal opposition, loyal to the monarchy.

“But when you talk about loyal opposition in an African setting and I have gone into many African languages, opposition means enemy…  that is the word.

“Then do you have a loyal enemy? So, what do you do with your enemy? You crush him and destroy him and that is what we have.

“The democracy we practice has no African context, no African content and if you try to use what is not meant for you to serve your purpose, it is like a dress for which you are not measured, you try to put it on, it is either too small for you or too big for you.

“It will not fit and it will not serve your purpose. In practice, we have the winner takes all… if you beat me by one vote then you take it all and whatever I have does not matter.”

Speaking further, Obasanjo said Africans must “look inward” to design a form of government that is “fairly authentic”, which will represent the values, culture, and history of the continent.

“Democracy is a journey and not a destination. There is no country that has ever reached the end of that journey,” Obasanjo said.

“Even those from where we got democracy, they are now rethinking. They are taking a second look.

“If they are taking a second look, shouldn’t we upon whom it was imposed look inward for something that is fairly authentic Africa?

“Call it what you like, just make sure it contains history, values, and culture that are African. You can call it democracy if you like. You can even call it African democracy.”

He added that Nigeria’s diversity must be nourished because without it, the country is a mere fragment of ethnic groups.

Obasanjo has repeatedly called for a rethink of Western-style democracy practised in many African countries. (TheCable)