Former Liberian President George Weah has warned that democracy cannot be sustained by elections alone, stressing the need for strong institutions, an independent judiciary and an active legal profession.

Weah made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He cautioned African leaders against using electoral victories as a licence to weaken democratic institutions, noting that elections were only the entry point into democracy.

The former president urged Nigerian lawyers to defend judicial independence and ensure that courts remained accessible to citizens seeking justice without political interference.

Weah also recalled conceding defeat in Liberia’s 2023 presidential election, saying he prioritised the peace and stability of his country over personal ambition.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who also spoke at the conference, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial independence and improved access to justice in the state.