Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has delivered a bold critique of Nigeria’s current political system, declaring that the Western democratic liberal model has failed the country. Speaking on a TV Morning Show on Friday, Agbakoba proposed an alternative framework—“consociational democracy”—as a viable path forward to foster inclusiveness, stability, and effective governance in Nigeria.
Agbakoba’s assertion comes amid growing dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s existing political arrangements, which many see as divisive, exclusionary, and marred by intense political rivalry. According to him, the Western-style democracy imported into Nigeria has not delivered the desired unity or development, but rather has entrenched factionalism and a “winner takes all” mentality.
“The basic problem,” Agbakoba explained, “is that the Western democratic liberal model has failed. Nigeria, as you know, we’ve worked on a new constitutional process for 25 years, since 2000 and nothing. I think it’s time to rethink and reimagine our democratic experience. It’s not working, it’s not inclusive, it’s divisive. It’s full of fighting. It’s a winner takes all. People want power, nobody wants to be in the opposition.”
He highlighted the political phenomenon of opposition politicians crossing over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), signaling a crisis within Nigeria’s political party system and democratic process. This, he said, reflects a system that discourages genuine opposition and promotes political homogeneity at the expense of democratic checks and balances.
In place of the failing Western model, Agbakoba advocated for “consociational democracy,” a form of governance that promotes power-sharing and institutional inclusivity across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic, religious, and regional groups.
“I would advocate something homegrown, autonomous, what I call consociational democracy, where we build our institutional democracy around our institutions,” he said. This system would allow Nigeria to accommodate its complex societal cleavages through inclusive governance structures.
Agbakoba pointed to the Belgian political arrangement as a model, where two major groups—the Walloons and the Flemings—coexist under a federal system with guaranteed representation and mutual accommodation. This framework, he argued, could inspire Nigeria to design a political system that respects and integrates its myriad identities.
Further emphasizing the need for a uniquely Nigerian political system, Agbakoba proposed a formal role for traditional rulers within the constitutional framework. Citing the British monarchy as an example, where King Charles acts as a constitutional monarch with symbolic and functional responsibilities, he suggested that Nigeria’s traditional rulers could be incorporated into governance.
“I am a very strong person for finding a role for traditional rulers,” Agbakoba said. “Our constitutional process should include the traditional rulers. King Charles is the constitutional monarch of the United Kingdom, and he has a role to play. He’s going to Canada. He’s playing a role in the trade process. He’s got a good deal with Trump.”
This integration, according to Agbakoba, would strengthen the legitimacy and cultural relevance of Nigerian governance, while providing an additional layer of stability.
Agbakoba also raised concerns about Nigeria’s economic model under the current political system, noting that “if return on capital exceeds return on development, why would anybody want to develop Nigeria?” This pointed criticism highlights how governance failures have affected economic growth and equitable development.
He underscored the urgency of reform, noting his long-term involvement in Nigeria’s constitutional evolution. “I started at 29 like I keep saying this. Now I’m 72. If something hasn’t worked for all this time, is it not time we think through a process?”
Agbakoba’s comments come at a time when Nigeria faces mounting challenges: political instability, regional tensions, and recurring questions about the efficacy of its democracy. While many citizens and civil society advocates echo the call for systemic reforms, political elites remain divided on the best way forward.
The proposal for consociational democracy, while not new, has gained fresh traction amid frustrations with the status quo. Incorporating traditional rulers and adopting inclusive governance mechanisms could potentially bridge Nigeria’s deep ethnic and political divides.
As the debate continues, Nigeria’s democratic experiment stands at a crossroads—will it cling to a Western model that many now see as failing, or will it pioneer a homegrown system that better reflects its complex realities?