The Presidency expressed discontent on Monday, holding former President Olusegun Obasanjo responsible for the present state of Nigeria’s democracy.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, attributed the current democratic system to Obasanjo’s influence during his tenure as military Head of State from 1976 to 1979 and as civilian President from 1999 to 2007.
Responding to Obasanjo’s remarks, Onanuga stated, “Obasanjo ought to know that he brought this thing into Nigeria.
He was the one who made us adopt it in 1979. He must have seen it as expensive and unsuitable when he governed us for eight years and even wanted an extension for another four years. So, the way he is sounding, it is like the man is getting wiser after leaving office.”
The Presidential advisor’s comments followed Obasanjo’s critique of Western liberal democracy during a high-level consultation on Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy in Africa held at Green Resort Legacy, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
Obasanjo argued for a tailored “Afro democracy” that considers African history and multicultural complexities.
In his assessment of Western liberal democracy, Obasanjo described it as a “government of a few people over all the people or population,” criticizing its representation that excludes the majority.
He emphasized that African countries should have a say in the “definition and design” of their government system.
Obasanjo questioned the Western democracy’s rule of the majority, asking whether the minority should be ignored, neglected, and excluded.
He highlighted the weaknesses and failures of the current system and urged a reexamination of its relevance.
However, the Presidency blamed Obasanjo for adopting a poorly copied model during his leadership, especially for not advocating for a better system despite his current views.
Onanuga argued, “If he believes in what he is saying now, he ought to be an advocate of the need to go back to the parliamentary system.”
The Presidency criticized Obasanjo for choosing the American-style democracy over the parliamentary democracy left by the British. Onanuga noted, “He copied the form and structure.
But he didn’t copy the spirit of it,” adding that Obasanjo attempted to modify the constitution during his tenure from 1999 to 2007.
