The ex-president said Africa must build a model of democracy that is true to the African heritage and that caters for the welfare of the people.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has given reasons why African leaders must re-examine the democracy inherited from the West.
He spoke at a Summit on the State of Democracy in Africa held at the Yar’adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.
The ex-president said Africa must build a model of democracy that is true to the African heritage and that caters for the welfare of the people.
Obasanjo advocated 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.
According to him, 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 the rule of law.
He defined Democracy as a Government by the people’s consent, with a clear mandate of the people, without corruption and for the welfare of the masses.
The Summit is convened by Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and Shehu Musa Yar’adua Foundation with sponsorship from Ford Foundation and Trust Africa.
The summit focused on the gains and challenges as well as threats to democracy in Africa.