Former President of Liberia, George Weah, has warned that democracy cannot survive on elections alone.
He said strong democratic institutions, an independent judiciary and a legal profession willing to hold those in power accountable are necessary for democracy to thrive.
Weah spoke while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The conference, themed “Beyond Limits,” brought together lawyers, judges, policymakers and other stakeholders from Nigeria and beyond.
According to Weah, elections are only the beginning of democracy and do not, on their own, guarantee good governance.
He said the judiciary and parliament must remain strong enough to check the excesses of elected leaders.
“Democracy does not survive on the strength of elections alone. Elections are the doorway into democracy, not the house itself,” Weah said.
He warned that even a leader who wins a free and fair election could later become authoritarian by weakening the judiciary, legislature and other democratic institutions.
“A tyrant with a certificate of return is still a tyrant,” he declared.
Weah said threats to democracy do not only come from military coups or politicians who refuse to accept election results.
He noted that elected governments could also threaten democracy by putting pressure on judges, weakening institutions or turning legislatures into “echo chambers” for the executive.
The former Liberian president stressed that the rule of law must protect all citizens equally, regardless of their political connections or social status.
He said a weak or compromised judiciary could damage public trust and have negative effects on investment, security and peace.
Weah therefore urged Nigerian lawyers to protect judicial independence and ensure that courts remain places where citizens can seek justice without political interference.
The former football star also recalled his decision to concede defeat in Liberia’s 2023 presidential election.
He said he chose to respect the will of the people and protect the peace of his country rather than put his personal ambition above national interest.
According to him, political office should be seen as temporary service to the people and not as a possession worth fighting to retain at all costs.
Speaking earlier, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, said the judiciary was essential to democratic governance because the courts provide a place where citizens can seek justice and protect their constitutional rights.
Fubara urged judges to remain courageous and honest in holding both government officials and citizens accountable to the constitution and the rule of law.
The governor recalled that Port Harcourt was initially scheduled to host the NBA conference in 2025 before an emergency declaration led to its relocation to Enugu.
He said the return of the conference to Port Harcourt represented the restoration of democratic institutions in Rivers State.
Fubara assured delegates of their safety and said his administration would continue to support judicial independence and access to justice.
He disclosed that his administration had increased access to justice by appointing more judges and establishing additional courts.
He also said a new Federal High Court building was expected to be handed over before the end of the year.
The governor pledged continued support for the administrative and financial independence of the state judiciary.
The outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe, said the association deliberately returned its annual conference to Port Harcourt following the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State.
He said the decision reflected the NBA’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law and strong democratic institutions.
