Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has questioned the growing role of the judiciary in determining election outcomes in Nigeria, asking whether democracy is served when the votes of millions of citizens can ultimately be overturned by a few judges.
Obasanjo spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue held at the Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre in Bauchi.
Obasanjo Questions Judicial Role
The former president, who chaired the dialogue, questioned whether it was democratic for millions of Nigerians to vote while a small number of judges could eventually determine the winner.
“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 asked.
The remarks came during discussions on the theme, “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
The event brought together political leaders, statesmen, scholars and democracy advocates from Nigeria and other African countries.
Former President Raises Judiciary Concerns
Obasanjo also questioned the independence of the judiciary and asked whether judges were able to operate without influence from the government.
His comments reflect longstanding concerns over election disputes in Nigeria, where candidates and political parties frequently challenge election results through the courts.
The former president said the situation raises fundamental questions about the state of democracy in Nigeria and across Africa.
Obasanjo Links Democracy to Good Governance
Obasanjo stressed that democracy should go beyond elections and deliver tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
According to him, a functional democracy should promote welfare and wellbeing, inclusiveness, equality, a sense of belonging and the protection of lives and property while addressing marginalisation and discrimination.
“Democracy that works must deliver the dividends of democracy,” he said.
He also questioned whether political parties were doing enough to strengthen democratic governance.
“Can the political parties deliver, or are they delivering? These are the questions the dialogue needs to answer,” Obasanjo said.
