Summary: I ask the fundamental question: “For Africa to Develop, Is Democracy the Right Form of Government?” I address it by reexamining the basic principle of the US system, the colonial systems, and some developed countries today. A pattern emerges that shows a different truth than what is sold to Africa. The basic principle which Africa can use to achieve development once it is indigenously adjusted to its context.
Onward & Upward!
~Dr. Ikenna Ezealah
“We [African countries] made a mistake adopting western liberal democracy”
…stated Former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria when he met members of the House of Representatives in Abuja on Monday who are championing the reintroduction of the parliamentary system of government. As reported by The Premium Times Nigeria.
Obasanjo is stating what for years I have been emphatically saying to African people after deep reflection and comprehensive assessment of past, present, and future. Namely, that the western liberal democratic system is not suitable for the African people who have a different nature and cultural heritage.
The liberal democratic system is good for the US, and the parliamentary system is good for Europe, but both systems and all other imported foreign systems are ineffective and inefficient for the African people. Even detrimental for progress. I will take it a step further:
“No African country can blossom to its potential by perpetuating the adopted parliamentary or liberal western democratic system!”
This is an immutable fact of unchangeable objective reality. These systems are beneficial for western countries, but not for Africa.
“We ruled ourselves before the advent of colonialism. We had empires and striving kingdoms.” Obasanjo said. Thus, there is a knowledge of different African frameworks that African people today have abandoned and need to recover and modernize!
What is the next step?
My proposal is to call a Continental Constitutional Council (CCC), which will feature key representatives of various ethnic groups, regions, governments, and sectors in African society. Each group will bring knowledge of different governance systems and societal structures of different empires, kingdoms, and ethnic groups throughout African history.
Next, they should meticulously study these indigenous systems and structures, combine them in new ways, assess present realities, and modernize them into different potential models. Next, they will return to their various countries equipped with this general body of knowledge and potential models, then the specific country or region will engage their citizens and different sectors of society in order to design a system that modifies and localizes the knowledge exchange of the CCC.
The African people should not adopt or copy, but create a new governance system from their inner beings and by improving past systems. Thus, everything must become new! We must build and create what we need for ourselves.
I applaud the preliminary effort of the Nigerian officials who are asking questions and exploring a new system. To the Nigerian government I will say:
“I am fully prepared and committed to join this initiative of Constitutional redesign and governance restructuring for indigenous nation-building. So, if you call requesting my involvement… anytime, anywhere, you will find me energetically action-ready.”
To the African people, true progress for you lies in actively using the abilities of your souls to continuously build on the knowledge of your ancestors.
Onward & Upward!
~Dr. Ikenna Ezealah
Nation Upbuilding 