George Weah warns African leaders against undermining democratic institutions

At the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt, former Liberian President George Weah warned African leaders that democracy is threatened by elected officials who undermine state institutions. Weah argued that elections are merely the “doorway into democracy” and that true stability requires an independent judiciary and effective legislative oversight to prevent executive overreach.

Weah cautioned that a leader can become a tyrant even with a legitimate electoral mandate by pressuring judges and turning legislatures into echo chambers. He noted that the danger to democracy is not just military coups, but the gradual erosion of checks and balances by those in power.

In response to Weah’s address, human rights lawyer Femi Falana criticized the Nigerian Bar Association for inviting him, alleging that Weah’s own administration in Liberia had previously undermined judicial independence and failed to comply with ECOWAS Court judgments.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara also addressed the conference, urging judges to maintain integrity and consider the societal impact of their rulings to ensure that justice remains a tool for national development rather than being hindered by corruption or political manipulation.