- Calls for Accountability
By Abiola Olawale
A former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, has emphasized the importance of holding leaders accountable, declaring that those who fail to deliver on their promises should be voted out of office.
Speaking at the 2025 edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue, held in Accra, Ghana, Jonathan charged Nigerians and Africans at large to continue to demand results from their elected officials.
In a statement on Saturday, Communications Officer at Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Mr Wealth Dickson Ominabo, quoted the former President as saying that where democracy fails to meet expectations, desperation can open the door to authoritarianism.
Jonathan also urged political leaders to commit to the “kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.”
He said: “Democracy in the African continent is going through a period of strain and risk of collapse unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want a good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
