Victory Songs Of Coup Won’t Last In Africa – Jonathan

Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has spoken out on the recent spate of coups in which democratic governments were overthrown in some African countries.

According to him, the jubilations that followed the military coups will not last long but it shows the need for African countries to rejig their democracies.

In his view, leaders must ensure democracy brings development to the people.

Speaking during a Democracy Dialogue 2023 organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) with the theme: “Breaking New Grounds In The Democracy Development Nexus in Africa” in Yenagoa, the former Nigerian leader lamented that it is unfortunate that democracy in recent years has caused a serious crisis in some nations.

He added that the leaders must ensure they fight poverty and unemployment, adhere to the rule of law, strengthen public institutions and respect the rights of the people for democracy to survive.

In his words, ”Leadership is supposed to work to ensure that democracy is translated to economic well-being.”

He added that, “Recently, we have experienced jubilations heralding the overthrow of civilian administrations in Africa, people jubilating military overthrowing civil administrations. Such victory songs will not last long, but it shows that Africa needs to rejig her democracy.

“In recent years, democracy in the continent has caused a serious crisis. The challenges of poverty and unemployment have created a crisis of trust in the hearts of our citizens.

“As leaders, we have the responsibility to ensure that democracy endures by adhering to 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.”