Former Liberian President George Weah has warned African leaders that elections alone do not guarantee democracy and that elected governments can become authoritarian when they weaken courts, legislatures and other constitutional institutions.
Weah delivered the keynote address at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt.
He said democracy depended on independent institutions, enforceable court decisions and a legal profession willing to defend citizens against abuse of power.
The former Liberian leader argued that democratic threats could emerge not only from military coups or candidates rejecting election results but also from governments gradually eroding checks and balances after taking office.
He warned against political interference in judicial appointments, budgets and institutions.
Weah referred to his decision to concede defeat in Liberia’s 2023 presidential election before the final result was formally announced.
He said leaders should regard public office as temporary stewardship and place national peace above personal ambition.
Weah also urged African countries to move beyond the idea of brain drain and create systems that allow professionals in the diaspora to contribute expertise at home.
He described such an approach as brain circulation.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who declared the conference open, also called on lawyers and judges to resist political pressure and corruption.
Fubara said confidence in the judiciary depended on impartial decisions, professional courage and respect for the Constitution.
He said his administration had appointed additional judges and expanded court infrastructure, including a Federal High Court building expected to be handed over before the end of the year.
Outgoing NBA President Afam Osigwe said the association returned the conference to Port Harcourt after withdrawing the event in 2025 during the state of emergency.
Osigwe urged lawyers to defend the Constitution, improve access to justice and use technology to reduce delays in the court system.
The conference placed judicial independence, institutional resilience and professional ethics at the centre of the discussion about democratic stability.
