Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has called for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s democratic system, declaring that the Western liberal democratic model has failed the country.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, Agbakoba argued that Nigeria’s current system is not inclusive, has deepened divisions, and promotes a “winner-takes-all” mentality that discourages healthy opposition and governance.
According to him, “The basic problem is that the Western liberal democratic model has failed in Nigeria. We’ve been trying to draft a new constitution for 25 years, since 2000, and we have achieved nothing. It’s time to rethink and reimagine our democratic experience.”
Agbakoba advocated for a “consociational democracy”—a system built around Nigeria’s own institutions and realities. He emphasized the need for a homegrown governance model that incorporates traditional rulers and reflects the country’s unique cultural and political diversity.
“I’m a strong proponent of assigning roles to traditional rulers. King Charles, for instance, plays a constitutional role in the UK, including involvement in trade processes. We should consider a similar system here,” he said.
He pointed to Belgium’s consociational model, where different ethnic groups—like the Walloons and the Flemish—share power through inclusive arrangements, as a possible template for Nigeria.
Agbakoba concluded by questioning the sustainability of the current system: “I started this advocacy at 29. Now I’m 72. If something hasn’t worked for over four decades, isn’t it time to rethink the process?”
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