Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has voiced strong concerns over the state of democracy in Africa, stressing that leaders who fail to meet their citizens’ expectations should face electoral consequences. He made these remarks during the 2025 edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue held in Accra, Ghana.
In a direct address, Jonathan highlighted that electoral manipulation is one of the biggest threats to democracy on the continent. He pointed out that despite citizens’ desire for effective leadership, many leaders continue to manipulate the system to remain in power, even when the public no longer supports them. “If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out,” he said. “But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.”
The former president, known for his advocacy for democratic values, noted that African citizens are no longer satisfied with the mere formality of elections. Instead, they demand accountability, equity, good governance, and access to basic rights such as security, education, healthcare, and jobs. “Our people want their votes to count,” Jonathan emphasized, adding that the failure to meet these demands has led to growing disillusionment.
Jonathan’s comments were echoed by other prominent figures at the event, including Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama. Mahama underscored the necessity of actively working to protect democracy. “Democracy will not survive if we don’t work for it,” he warned, urging Africans to take responsibility for the future of their democratic institutions. He further stressed the importance of strengthening governance, tackling corruption, and ensuring accountability in leadership.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo also lent his voice to the call for reform, noting that the current practice of democracy in Africa is unsustainable and requires urgent change. He called for a holistic approach to democracy, one that transcends elections and includes accountability, service, and discipline.
The dialogue also featured leaders like Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese. They collectively underscored the importance of going beyond elections and focusing on the delivery of real governance that serves the people.
