According to former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, if Africans elect leaders who will uphold national laws, the bulk of the continent’s issues—such as coups, sluggish economic growth, and insecurity—will be significantly lessened.
Speaking on Tuesday at the International IDEA-organized Regional Economic Communities (RECs) second annual retreat in Abuja, Jonathan emphasized the need to choose leaders who will uphold national laws because doing so would address a significant number of the continent’s issues.
In order to resolve the balance between strong institutions and strong leaders in governance, Jonathan, the ECOWAS special envoy, called for talks including important political figures. This is especially important for African nations that face institutional issues and strong leaders.
After the summit, Jonathan underlined in a statement released by his Special Advisor, Ikechukwu Eze, that inclusiveness and good governance are necessary to persuade people that civilian administrations are preferable to military ones in light of the rise in military coups, particularly in West Africa.
“Special panels like this one are expected to interrogate and proffer solutions for the many challenges that Africa’s democracy is currently facing, including the resurgence of coup d’état, citizen disenchantment, rising insecurity, and tough economic situations,” Jonathan added.
Read Also: 7.7m girls in Nigeria to receive cervical cancer vaccinations
“I’ve always maintained that democracy and development are closely related.
“We must choose leaders who uphold the law. Seventy percent of our problems would be solved, I think, if our leaders—presidents, prime ministers, members of parliament, and the judiciary—would follow our laws, stated the former leader of Nigeria.
He also exhorted African leaders to act in the best interests of all and refrain from taking any steps that might polarize their countries and further separate their people.
