Leaders Who Fail Must Be Voted Out To Protect Democracy

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has emphasised that any leader who fails to perform should be voted out of office if proper elections are conducted.

He made the remarks during the 2025 edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue held in Accra, Ghana.

Jonathan highlighted electoral manipulation as one of Africa’s biggest threats to democracy.

“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 on Saturday,

He stressed the need for leaders to commit to governance that ensures a better future for citizens.

“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 explained.

He further noted that citizens want access to good education, security, healthcare, jobs, and dignity, and leaders must meet these basic needs.

Jonathan also encouraged youth participation in governance, saying it is promising but must be guided by the experience of older leaders.

Speaking at the event, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama reiterated the importance of accountability, stating, “Democracy will not survive if we don’t work for it.

“We need a reset of democracy and governance to ensure accountability. Anybody who wants to serve must be accountable to the people.”

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the dialogue, warned that Africa’s current democratic practices are unsustainable and require urgent reform.

The discussion also involved ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Touray and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, who called for democracy to extend beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.

Source: Informationng