“Judges Shouldn’t Determine Election Outcomes of Millions of Voters”- Obasanjo Questions Nigerian Democracy

• Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has questioned the role of the judiciary in determining election outcomes, asking whether it is democratic for millions of votes to be overturned or upheld by the decisions of a few judges.
• Speaking at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, Obasanjo also called for democracy to deliver good governance, equality, security and improved living conditions for citizens.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has questioned the growing role of the judiciary in determining election outcomes in Nigeria, asking whether democracy is truly being served when the votes of millions of citizens can ultimately be decided by a handful of judges.

Obasanjo spoke on Tuesday while serving as chairman of the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue at the Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre in Bauchi.

The dialogue, themed, “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and Judiciary Save African Democracy?”, brought together political leaders, statesmen, scholars and democracy advocates from Nigeria and other African countries.

The former president questioned the democratic value of an electoral system where millions of citizens cast their votes, only for a few judges to determine the final outcome.

“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 queried.

Obasanjo also raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary, questioning whether the institution remains truly independent or could be influenced by the government.

He said the situation raises fundamental questions about the state of democracy in Nigeria and across Africa, stressing that democracy should not be limited to elections but must also improve the lives of citizens.

According to him, democracy should guarantee welfare and wellbeing, inclusiveness, equality, a sense of belonging, protection of lives and property, as well as an end to marginalisation and discrimination.

“Democracy that works must deliver the dividends of democracy,” he added.

Obasanjo also questioned the effectiveness of political parties in sustaining democratic governance, asking, “Can the political parties deliver, or are they delivering? These are the questions the dialogue needs to answer.”