Former President Goodluck Jonathan has stressed that any leader who fails to deliver on their mandate should be voted out of office.
Jonathan, who lost his re-election bid in 2015 and is reportedly considering a 2027 presidential run against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made the remarks at the 2025 edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana.
The former president warned that democracy in Africa is under serious strain, pointing to electoral manipulation as one of the greatest threats to good governance.
“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,” Jonathan said.
He further stressed the importance of credible elections:
“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.”
Jonathan also emphasized the need to meet citizens’ expectations, warning that failure to do so breeds 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 added.
While praising the growing involvement of young people in governance, Jonathan stressed that youth leaders must receive guidance from experienced elders. He called for systems that safeguard the future of the next generation and ensure citizens’ voices are respected.
