Former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, President of the Economic of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray and African scholar, Prof PLO Lumunba have lamented the threat to democracy in Africa continent.
The trio and others spoke at the Democracy Dialogue with the theme: "Breaking New Grounds In the Democracy- Development Nexus in Africa" organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation held at the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Jonathan, who spoke in his capacity as the Chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, while commending the Bayelsa State Government for hosting the event noted that the GJF Annual Democracy Dialogue is an initiative of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation that brings together sstakeholders across Africa to critically examine issues of democracy, interrogate the practice in Africa and make suggestions where necessary.
He commended the enthusiasm shown by participants as a demonstration of faith in democracy and a determination to make contributions in the quest to proffer workable solutions to the challenges of leadership and democratic governance on the African continent.
According to him, the recent threat against democracy in Africa through social tension, coup d’état, insecurity and poor management of election noting that an honest conversation is needed in the bid to rejig democracy in Africa.
“The theme of the dialogue underscores the fact that we need to see democracy beyond elections and critically look at the nature of our elections and what happens after elections by way of governance.
“Leadership should work towards ensuring that democracy translates into economic wellbeing of the citizens. We need to look at the gap in our democratic systems and seek to understand why democracy in many of our societies has been unable to guarantee peace and economic growth for the citizens.
“Democracy should be able to encourage development and help ensure social growth of the society. Democracy is about the people and should be able to uplift the social condition of the citizens.
Democracy draws its strength from the people; we must work to ensure that its impact in the lives of the people is felt and appreciated.”
“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.
“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 added, “I must sincerely appreciate the enthusiasm displayed by Bayelsans and other Nigerians for their contributions for the success of this event, your presence is the demonstration of your faith in our democracy and your determination to make contribution to proffer workable solution to the challenges of leadership in African continent.”
He pointed out that the theme of the dialogue underscored the fact that the people need to see democracy beyond elections and what happens after by the way of good governance.
Touray in his goodwill message noted that the theme for the Democracy Dialogue “is most appropriate and timely as it coincides with a time when the avowed goal of entrenching democracy and sustainable peace in West Africa is being put to stern test
“Unconstitutional change of government, which involves military coups d’etat and unconstitutional maintenance of power by incumbents have been on the rise in recent past in Africa generally in West Africa in particular. Military Coups have heightened insecurity, stagnated growth, increased poverty, inequality, and limited popular participation in governance”.
Lumumba, who delivered the keynote address bemoaned the crisis of development in Africa and fingered bad leadership and misinterpreting the concept of democracy for the backwardness in the continent.
He stated that Africa requires servant-leaders who place the well-being of the people as the centre of governance.
In his welcome address, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, called on the the international community to observe the November 11 governorship election in the state in order to protect the integrity of the process.
He said the decision to re-elect him or choose a governor for the state should be the people’s prerogative but, however, expressed concern that some of his opponents were resorting to violence, intimidation and brigandage to subvert the will of the people.
“On November 11 this year, Bayelsans will be going to the polls to elect a governor. I hope I have done enough to merit their endorsement for a second term. The decision should be theirs to make.
“Sadly, some of my opponents do not think the people of Bayelsa are entitled to that choice and are resorting to violence, intimidation and brigandage to subvert the will of the people. I am inviting you all back here to be observers of the process,” he said.
The governor noted that the introduction of armed non-state actors in political contests poses a greater threat to democracy than the military, noting that unless the people insist on building strong institutions capable of resisting the antics of strong men, more countries would be affected.
“The introduction of armed non-state actors in political contests poses a greater threat to our democracy than the military. And unless we insist on building strong institutions capable of resisting the antics of strong men, more and more countries will be infected.
“The antidote is the rise of accountable leaders, vibrant civil societies, and engaged citizenry who shape their own destinies and demand transparency, justice, and equal opportunities.”
The governor said the timing of the conference could not have come at a better time in view of what he described as “recent epidemic of military takeovers in the sub-region, which have woken us rudely from our sweet dreams that Africa has come a long way from an era marked by oppressive regimes and limited civic participation.”
According to him, “the re-emergence of this malady should be a source of concern for all of us. We as politicians and the chief drivers of the democratic culture cannot completely absolve ourselves in this matter. Because we inadvertently create the environment for such behaviour.”
He noted that if the people build the right foundations, they would leave enduring legacies, and applauded the unexampled conduct during the 2015 presidential election when President Goodluck Jonathan wrote himself into history as the father of Nigeria’s modern democracy.
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