Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has lent his support to a growing movement advocating for a departure from the current presidential system of government being practiced in the country.
At a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday with 60 members of the House of Representatives pushing for a return to the parliamentary system, Obasanjo stressed the need for a governance model that aligns with Nigeria’s unique needs.
He criticised the Western liberal democracy model, stating that it has failed to address Nigeria’s challenges effectively.
“Our journey began on an unstable foundation – Western liberal democracy. This system, inherited from our colonial past, has fuelled our problems. It’s now our responsibility to chart our course. Western liberal democracy introduced the concept of opposition, equating it with enmity. Yet, there’s nothing inherently African about this model. It’s time to redefine our path.
“For too long, we’ve neglected the importance of coming together and saying yes. Even those before us no longer find it beneficial. What defines Nigerians is our sense of community, where mutual relationships and consensus-driven decisions are central to our way of life,” the former political leader said.
Obasanjo called for an exploration of an alternative ‘Afro-democracy’ approach, but cautioned lawmakers against expecting immediate results from their efforts as such transitions will require patience.
The former president emphasised the African sense of community and consensus-driven decision-making as essential aspects of Nigerian identity, while advocating for a shift away from Western ideologies that may not fully resonate with local realities.
The group, led by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, echoed Obasanjo’s sentiments. They called attention to the burdensome nature of the current presidential system and the need for a more streamlined and responsive governance framework.
“It is so difficult for us, as a nation, to make that move that we require with this heavy load on our shoulders, and so we are thinking about how to contribute our quota to this nation.
“We’ve heeded the wisdom of leaders who serve as true role models. We advocate for a domestically tailored system of governance that prioritises accountability and responsiveness to the people. After a thorough examination, we propose a parliamentary-like framework, uniquely crafted to our context, aimed at streamlining governance, fostering responsibility, and enhancing accountability,” Chinda said.
They also announced plans for a national dialogue and an essay competition to gather broader perspectives and engage Nigerian citizens in shaping the future governance model.
Obasanjo pledged to support this cause as a collaborative effort towards redefining Nigeria’s political landscape.