By Joel Okwara
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has appealed to African leaders to re-examine the democracy inherited from the West.
Obasanjo stated this at a Summit on the State of Democracy in Africa, held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, May 22.
He said Africa must build a model of democracy that is true to the African heritage and that caters for the welfare of the people.
The former Nigerian President advocated for a democracy that works for all the African people.
He also charged African leaders to show an unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people.
Obasanjo said for democracy to be effective in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, it must be built on the principles of good leadership, strong institutions and rule of law.
He defined Democracy as a Government by the people’s consent, with clean mandate of the people, without corruption and for the welfare of the masses.
The summit is convened by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, with sponsorship from the Ford Foundation and Trust Africa.
The summit focused on the gains and challenges as well as threats to democracy in Africa.
