Obasanjo spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue. The event was held at the Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre in Bauchi. He served as chairman of the gathering.
The dialogue carried the theme, “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and Judiciary Save African Democracy?” It drew top political figures, scholars, and democracy advocates from Nigeria and beyond.
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Fomer President Olusegun Obasanjo
Obasanjo asked a pointed question about court rulings overturning election results. “If millions of people have voted and five people would form a decision either in favour or against the decision of millions of people, is that democracy?” he queried.
The former leader also doubted the judiciary’s independence. He asked whether courts still act freely or bow to government pressure. This, he said, raises deep questions about democracy in Nigeria and across Africa.
Obasanjo stressed that democracy must bring real benefits to citizens. It should improve how people live day to day. He listed welfare, fairness, unity, and safety as key goals of any working system.
“Democracy that works must deliver the dividends of democracy,” he added.
He didn’t stop at the courts. Obasanjo also questioned whether political parties are doing their part. “Can the political parties deliver, or are they delivering? These are the questions the dialogue needs to answer,” he said.
