A former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has urged African leaders to respect the rule of law and strengthen democracy in their various countries.
Jonathan appealed for the 2023 democracy dialogue, organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation at the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Yenagoa the Capital of Bayelsa State, Southern, Nigeria.
He said; “Africa leaders, should respect the rule of law, respect the rights of the people and strengthen public instructions, ensuring policies that will impact positively on the lives of the citizens.”
The former leader went further to explain the essence of democracy, saying “democracy should be able to uplift the social economy of the citizens, strengthen the people and also improve social condition of its citizens.”
Jonathan said that “democracy should encourage development and growth of the citizens and should be able to uplift the life of the citizens.
” There should always be dialogue in resolving issues. Dialogue is not meant to bring any nation down or target any country or group, but to strengthen democracy. The purpose of dialogue is to bring stakeholders from across Africa continent to discuss the problem of democracy in the continent which includes insecurity, poor management of the electoral process, and African people should take democracy beyond election.”
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, said “the region is worried about the Military operating in the political space in some African countries. Some of our challenges are insecurity in Africa, terrorism, crimes such as illegal maritime activities and fake news.”
Exchange knowledge
However, the Bayelsa State, Governor, Douye Diri said that the platform is to share ideas, experiences, and exchange of knowledge to provide solutions to the problem of democracy in Africa.
Governor Diri said; “we should build the right foundation and knowing that democracy is about ballots and not bullets.”
The key Speaker at the event, Professor Patrick Lumumba, said that African leaders must come together and work together to strengthen democracy in the Continent.
The Royal Father of the day, the Olu of Warri, Delta State, Southern, Nigeria, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse advised political leaders in Nigeria and Africa on their roles in Sustaining the Nigerian democracy.
At the peak of the event, there was a panel session where professionals analysed some causes and solutions to some democratic challenges in Africa.
The moderator was Professor Adebayo Olukoshi and the discussants were the former President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Kiroma, the former Vice President of Gambia, Fatuomata Tambajany, Ambassador Joe Keshi, Professor, of Development Studies, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Southern, Nigeria, Professor Ibaba Samuel Ibaba, Dr. Adhiambo Odaga, and Dr. Matthew Ayibakuro.
According to Dr. Ernest Bai Kiroma, democracy is a journey, that goes up and down, which requires Nigerians to remain focused to be able to confront the challenges.
Encourged Political leaders
The former Vice President of Gambia, Fatuomata Tambajany, stated that women were should not only be used as drums during elections, encouraging political leaders to be concerned about their well-being and that of youths.
She said: “Women can play a significant role in strengthening democracy.”
She went further to explain that, “Any strong leader must have a strong wife”
“The three arms of government in any African country must work together to enhance good governance,” Fatuomata Tambajany stated.
According to a senior lecturer of Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Southern, Nigeria, Professor Ambily Etekpe said for people in Africa to enjoy good governance, there must be economic and political restructuring.
The power of the presidency should be weakened and the grassroots should have control.
He went further to advise the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), toward the fourth coming governorship elections that will take place in Bayelsa and Kogi states, ” the elections should be free and fair. There should be no rigging with the use of BIVAS.
He also advised Nigerian citizens in the two states to go out and vote for the person of their choice and avoid vote buying and selling.
A member of Nigeria House of Assembly, Professor Steve Aziki, in an interview with Voice of Nigeria, advised African leaders to strengthen their local currencies.
The mentality of African leaders must change. African countries should use one currency, there should be free movement of African citizens within the African continent, and there should be trade by bata, for instance, if Ghana as a country is producing Groundnuts and Oranges, Nigeria should be selling cassava to them in return
He also advised that corrupt practices should be reduced in the region.
Lots of stakeholders across the African continent attended the event.
Lateefah Ibrahim
