Former President Olusegun Obasanjo Criticizes Government’s Misplaced Priorities, Calls for "Afrodemocracy" to Address African Challenges
In a scathing critique of Nigeria’s current leadership, a former President has accused top government officials of deception, corruption, and misplaced priorities, citing controversial projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the N21 billion Vice-President’s official residence as examples of wasteful spending during a time of economic hardship.
The former leader, whose remarks were delivered at a public event, lambasted the administration for ignoring public outcry over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project and questioned the rationale behind constructing a lavish residence for the Vice-President. “What small minds!” he exclaimed, describing such actions as emblematic of a government out of touch with the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
He further criticized the lack of transparency in contract awards, agreements, treaties, borrowings, and the forward sales of national assets, stating that leaders who engage in such practices are “unfit for the job they find themselves in.”
Call for "Afrodemocracy"
To address the systemic challenges facing Nigeria and other African nations, the former President called for a radical rethinking of the Western liberal democracy model, which he argued has failed to deliver good governance.
“If the West, where liberal democracy originated, is complaining about its shortcomings, we should be wise enough to interrogate and analyze its flaws,” he said. “Western liberal democracy is not working for us, and it’s not just about the failures of the operators but the system itself.”
He proposed the adoption of a new system tailored to Africa’s unique history, culture, and characteristics, which he termed “Afrodemocracy.” This model, he explained, would prioritize African values and address the specific needs of the continent’s diverse populations.
“Afrodemocracy will allow us to create an African people’s constitution that avoids the faults of Western liberal democracy,” he said. “It is time we charted a path that reflects who we are and what we need as a people.”
Reactions and Implications
The former President’s comments have sparked widespread debate, with many Nigerians applauding his bold critique of the current administration’s policies while others have called for concrete steps to implement his proposed reforms.
Political analysts have noted that his call for Afrodemocracy reflects growing dissatisfaction with the current political system across Africa, where many nations continue to grapple with corruption, inequality, and poor governance despite decades of democratic rule.
As Nigeria faces mounting economic and social challenges, the former President’s remarks have added fuel to the ongoing conversation about the need for systemic change and a governance model that truly serves the interests of the African people.
