The Nigerian Presidency has fired back at former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his recent comments advocating for ‘Afro-Democracy’ and criticizing what he termed ‘Western liberal democracy.’ Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accused Obasanjo of hypocrisy and blamed him for the current challenges Nigeria is facing.
In response to Obasanjo’s call for African countries to adopt their own form of democracy, Onanuga pointed out that Obasanjo was the one who introduced the current democratic system in Nigeria during his tenure as the military Head of State from 1976 to 1979 and later as civilian President from 1999 to 2007.
“Obasanjo ought to know that he brought this thing into Nigeria. He was the one who made us adopt it in 1979,” Onanuga stated. He criticized Obasanjo for now questioning the system he had implemented, emphasizing that Obasanjo’s governance during his eight years as president contributed to the challenges the country is facing.
The Presidential spokesman noted that Obasanjo copied the form and structure of the presidential system without capturing its spirit. He highlighted that during Obasanjo’s tenure, attempts were made to modify the constitution, further emphasizing the former president’s role in shaping the current democratic landscape.
This exchange highlights the ongoing debate about the suitability of Western-style democracy in African countries, with political figures expressing differing opinions on the matter.