PORTHARCOURT: Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has said that leaders who fail to deliver on their promises should be removed through the ballot box, provided elections remain credible and transparent.
Speaking at the 2025 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, Jonathan warned that Africa’s democratic system is under severe strain and risks collapse if urgent reforms are not carried out.
“Democracy in the African continent is going through a period of strain and risks collapse unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa,” Jonathan said.
According to him, when elections are credible, underperforming leaders can be voted out. But in many cases, politicians manipulate the system to remain in power against the people’s will.
He stressed that Africans expect their leaders to guarantee freedoms and meet basic needs.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count. They want equitable representation and inclusivity.
They want good education, security, healthcare, jobs, and dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned, he noted.
Jonathan also said youth participation in politics is a welcome development but emphasised the need for mentorship and guidance from older generations.
Ghana’s former President, John Dramani Mahama, who also spoke at the event alongside Jonathan and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, called for a democratic reset across Africa to restore public trust.
Democracy will not survive if we don’t work for it. Our citizens are tired of corruption, misgovernance, and lack of opportunities.
We need a reset of democracy and governance to ensure accountability, Mahama said, adding that democracy depends on strong institutions, development, education, and a free press.
Obasanjo, who chaired the session, echoed similar concerns, warning that democracy cannot be reduced to periodic elections but must also embody accountability, service, and discipline.
Other speakers included the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, who all agreed that Africa’s democratic systems must deliver peace, development, and inclusivity if they are to endure.
