‘Go To Court’ Now a Tool for Injustice in Nigeria – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that democracy in Africa is failing, arguing that the frequent use of courts as a tool to deny justice undermines the system.
Speaking at an event on Monday at Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Intercontinental Hotel, Obasanjo criticised politicians who dismiss grievances by telling people to “go to court,” despite the judiciary’s inability to deliver true justice.
He asserted that Africa’s adoption of Western-style democracy has not served its citizens effectively, describing it as alien to the continent’s governance structures.
“Democracy in Africa has failed because it is not African,” he said.
Obasanjo expressed concerns that democracy has become more about representation than governance for the people.
“Abraham Lincoln described democracy as government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But what do we have today? The Greek democracy affected everyone. Now, democracy has become representative democracy, and it has not taken care of everyone,” he stated.
Comparing it to traditional African governance, he argued that pre-colonial systems were more attuned to the needs of the people.
The former president also criticised the lack of justice in electoral disputes, lamenting how politicians rely on the phrase “go to court” when citizens seek redress, knowing full well that justice is unlikely to be served.
“You will say, ‘go to court’ when you know that you can’t get justice. Democracy is dying in Africa, and to save it, it should be made in the context of Africa,” he added.
Obasanjo called for a redefinition of democracy that aligns with Africa’s cultural realities and historical governance systems.
“We should remember that in Africa, we had a form of government which attended to the needs of the people. That is democracy,” he said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
