Former President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan has stated that the recent wave of civil government overthrows throughout the African continent demonstrates that democracy has to be “rejigged” and steered in the right way.
Jonathan stated this during a Democracy Dialogue 2023 event in Yenagoa organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) with the topic “Breaking New Grounds In The Democracy Development Nexus in Africa.”
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo voiced concern that in recent years, democracy on the African continent has resulted in significant crises, including difficulties of poverty and unemployment, which he claims has produced a crisis of confidence in the hearts of Nigerians.
”Leadership is supposed to work to ensure that democracy is translated to economic well-being, explaining that democracy should be able to encourage development.
”Recently, we have experienced jubilations heralding the overthrown of civilian administrations in Africa, people jubilating military overthrowing civil administrations, such victory songs will not last long, but it shows thar Africa needs to rejig her democracy.
“In recent years, democracy in the continent has caused serious crisis, the challenges of poverty and unemployment has created a crisis of trust in the hearts of of our citizens.
“As leaders, we have the responsibilities to ensure that democracy endures by adhering to the the rules of law, respecting the rights of the people, strengthening public institutions, ensuring that we implement policies that will impact positively on the lives of our people,” he said.
Jonathan said that the annual democracy dialogue is an initiative of the GJF which brings together stakeholders across Africa to critically examine the issue of democracy, interrogate the practice in Africa, and make suggestions where necessary.
Be the first to comment