Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that any leader who fails to perform should be voted out of office if proper elections are conducted.
Jonathan, who lost his bid for re-election in 2015, is reportedly nursing a presidential ambition for 2027 against President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at the 2025 edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, he described electoral manipulation as one of the greatest threats to democracy in Africa.
In a statement on Saturday, Communications Officer of the GJF, Mr. Wealth Dickson Ominabo, quoted Jonathan as saying that when democracy fails to meet citizens’ expectations, desperation can create openings for authoritarianism.
Jonathan emphasized that leaders must commit to a system that guarantees a bright future for the next generation, where citizens’ voices are respected. He said:
“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.
“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.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“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 also highlighted youth participation in governance as encouraging but stressed that young leaders need guidance from experienced elders to succeed.