The Presidency has responded to Olusegun Obasanjo’s comments made at the high-level consultation on Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy in Africa held at Green Resort Legacy, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
The elder statesman criticized Western democracy, suggesting it had not delivered good governance and development in Africa.
Furthermore, he called for a reexamination and moderation of democracy to better suit African nations, citing the Western model’s disregard for African history and complexities.
In a response to the elder statesman’s comments, the presidency responded heatedly by blaming the former President for the current state of Nigeria’s democracy.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, duly addressed the press and remarkably noted that the democracy the country currently practices dates to direct inputs by Obasanjo when he led the country’s first as military Head of State from 1976 – 1979 and as civilian President from 1999 – 2007.
His statement further reads, “Obasanjo ought to know that he brought this thing into Nigeria. He was the one who made us adopt it in 1979.
He must have seen it as expensive and unsuitable when he governed us for eight years and even wanted an extension for another four years.
“So, the way he is sounding, it is like the man is getting wiser after leaving office,” Onanuga said, reacting to Obasanjo’s post-presidential stance.
