Former President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that leaders who fail to deliver on their responsibilities must be removed from office through free and fair elections.
He stressed that credible electoral processes are essential for holding public officials accountable and ensuring good governance across Africa.
Speaking at the 2025 edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, Jonathan warned that without functional electoral systems, democracy in Africa remains under serious threat.
His remarks were shared in a statement released on Saturday by the Foundation’s Communications Officer, Wealth Dickson Ominabo.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out,” Jonathan stated.
“But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.”
He pointed to electoral manipulation as a major obstacle to democratic development, noting that flawed elections undermine public trust and allow underperforming leaders to stay in power against the will of the people.
“Democracy in Africa 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,” he said.
Jonathan argued that democracy must be restructured to meet the needs of citizens, not just serve the ambitions of political elites.
“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,” he noted.
The former president highlighted the gap between what citizens expect and what they receive from their governments, warning that continued failure by leaders could lead to widespread disillusionment.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want 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,” he said.
Jonathan also welcomed the growing participation of young people in governance but advised that they must be guided by experienced leaders to avoid repeating past mistakes.
