Obasanjo: Africa Must Abandon ‘Winner-Takes-All’ Democracy
By Peace Erewunmi
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for a fundamental rethink of the democratic system practised across Africa, arguing that the continent should move away from a “winner-takes-all” model of governance.
Obasanjo made the remarks during a dialogue in Bauchi, where he criticised the wholesale adoption of Western liberal democracy without sufficient consideration for Africa’s history, culture and social realities.
According to the former president, the democratic model inherited by many African countries has contributed to intense political competition in which winning an election often means gaining control of virtually all political power, while those who lose are largely excluded from governance.
He argued that Africa needs to develop a democratic system that reflects its own circumstances and encourages inclusiveness, consensus and shared responsibility rather than concentrating political power in the hands of the victorious party.
Obasanjo’s position comes amid renewed discussions across the continent about the quality of democratic governance, political instability and growing public dissatisfaction with electoral politics.
The former president maintained that democracy should serve the people and promote development, rather than becoming an avenue for political elites to compete solely for access to state resources and power.
His comments have renewed debate over whether African countries should continue to operate primarily within inherited Western democratic frameworks or develop governance models that incorporate more indigenous political traditions.
The call also comes as Nigeria and other African countries continue to grapple with challenges including electoral disputes, political exclusion, corruption and declining public confidence in democratic institutions.
While Obasanjo’s proposal is likely to attract debate, the former president’s central argument is that Africa needs a democratic system designed around its own realities and capable of promoting inclusion beyond the winner of an election.
