Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on Nigerians to embrace unity in diversity and work collectively to strengthen democratic values and national development.
Obasanjo made the call at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democratic Dialogue held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre in Bauchi. He stressed that national unity remains essential for peace, stability and the effective delivery of democracy’s dividends.
The former President also expressed concern over challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy, particularly the independence of the judiciary and the credibility of the electoral process. He argued that democratic institutions must be strengthened to ensure that the will of the people is respected.
Speaking at the event, Professor Karuti Kanyinga of the University of Nairobi urged African leaders to develop policies that address poverty and create opportunities for citizens, warning that economic hardship continues to drive many Africans to seek better opportunities abroad.
