Former President Goodluck Jonathan has emphasized the pressing need for a revitalization of democracy across the African continent amidst a concerning surge in coup d’états. Speaking at the “Democracy Dialogue 2023” event organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) in Yenagoa, Nigeria, Jonathan underscored the theme, “Breaking New Grounds in the Democracy Development Nexus in Africa.”
Expressing deep concern over the recent proliferation of coups and their detrimental impact on African nations, the former Nigerian leader highlighted that democracy, in recent years, had become a source of significant turmoil. These disruptions, he noted, had given rise to issues such as poverty and unemployment, leading to a crisis of trust among African citizens.
Jonathan asserted that leadership’s primary function should be to ensure that democracy translates into economic prosperity. He stressed that democracy should serve as a catalyst for development, urging leaders to recognize their role in this regard.
He went on to mention that jubilation had been witnessed following the overthrow of civilian administrations by military forces in various African countries. However, he cautioned that such celebrations would be short-lived and should serve as a stark indicator of the need for Africa to reevaluate and reconfigure its democratic processes.
President Goodluck Jonathan emphasized that leaders bore the responsibility of safeguarding the endurance of democracy by upholding the rule of law, respecting the rights of the people, fortifying public institutions, and implementing policies that positively impacted the lives of their respective populations.
