. As former president Jonathan says Nigeria must link democracy with economic transformation
IBRAHIM QUADRI
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to destroy Nigeria’s democracy.
To the octogenarian politician, actions and utterances coming from APC and INEC in recent weeks show that they don’t want any other presidential candidate in 2027 aside President Bola Tinubu of APC “and they are ready to destroy all democratic fundamentals, tenets and ethos to have their way.”
George, the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, in a statement, likened what is going on to actions of the Biblical Abimelech in the book of Judges Chapter 9, a fellow who destroyed almost everybody and everything to become a king.
“But, in verse 23 of that chapter, God proved to Abimelech and the people of Shechem that there is nobody He created that He cannot handle.
“This is the time for all leaders and elders, irrespective of party affiliation, to rise and condemn what is going on. You don’t appease evil. You deal with evil,’ he declared.
George, former military governor of old Ondo State (1987 – 1990), said the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, was a pitiable sight when he appeared on a television programme to defend actions of the Electoral umpire in using technicalities to sack Excos of political parties.
“Enough is enough. nation must not sink. At 80 years, what am I looking for? I was in Form 4 in secondary school when the Western Region crisis started in 1962. I don’t think some of those causing crisis in the polity today were born then. Military or civilian, I have seen it all. We must not allow this country to go down.
“We are firing the warning shot now. Nigeria is too big to be manipulated by a greedy and selfish few.
“Look at insecurity. This country is gradually collapsing. I don’t want to hear anything like external factors or elements. Those killing and kidnapping Nigerians all over the place are in this country. Instead of the President, as the Commander-in-Chief to deal with these blood-thirsty maniacs, he is busy using INEC to destroy opposition parties. Nigerians will not allow this to happen. It is unfortunate that the electoral body has become an undertaker, mandated by the ruling party to destroy this democracy.
“Unfortunately, our judiciary is also drifting. I remember the glorious years of Justices Elias, Kayode Eso, Oputa, Belgore, Uwais, and others. Today, the rot in the judiciary is appalling.
“Any evil is a reflection of injustice. There is evil in the country today. Clearly, injustice can never overcome justice. When you deliver good judgements, justice is done. When you use technicalities to deliver wrong judgements, it is injustice.
“Stupid people believe they are always wise, but wise people listen to advice. The Almighty God has the final say on everything. Whatever you become today, it is nothing tomorrow. It is only the good legacy you leave behind that will last forever.
“Baba Awolowo died 39 years ago, but we are still celebrating him today. Can we do same for today’s leaders when they leave office?
“It is unfortunate that some judicial officials are conniving with desperate politicians to ruin this democracy. What they are doing is affecting the blindfolded Lady of Justice, the symbol of the judiciary. They have removed the sword and the scale.
“Nigerians are being killed everyday and nobody is claiming responsibility for what is going on. The Commander-in-Chief is just issuing statements after each killing. The energy they should have deployed to deal with these criminal elements is what they are using to decimate parties.
“You want to be the only presidential candidate in 2027, in a multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic country like Nigeria in the 21st Century. How is that possible? We must encourage a multi-party democracy. That is the spinal cord of participatory democracy.”
As former president Jonathan says Nigeria must link democracy with economic transformation
In another development, Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a strategic alignment of democratic governance with sound economic policies to ensure long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s political system.
Jonathan made the call at the national convening and launch of a research report by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) on Thursday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the research report is titled: “Strengthening the Nexus between Democracy and Economic Growth in Nigeria.”
The former president urged policy makers to move beyond mere elections and focus on building transparent and accountable institutions that would create an environment where innovation and enterprise could flourish.
Jonathan noted that the gathering came at a critical moment when democracy was under increasing strain globally due to economic hardship, social pressures, insecurity and growing distrust in public institutions.
Reflecting on the effectiveness of various systems of government, he noted that while some non-democratic nations had achieved significant development, the unique value of democracy lies in the guarantee of freedom.
“Sometimes when I look at the topics, I ask myself, can we really say that democracy will lead to better governance than other forms of government like we see in the Arab world, the monarchies?
“Most of you go to Dubai, the centre of the world. I know of some American friends that send their children to go and school in Dubai and it’s not a democracy there,” he said.
The former president added that in some other countries like China, some people question whether it is pure democracy that they are running or a different type of government.
According to him, the recruitment process in China is almost second to none, because ‘we are talking about quality of people’.
“In China, they combine selection and election; so before you become a mayor of any of their cities, you are filtered and you are one of the best.
“Can we truly say that our democracy is close to that?’’ he queried.
Jonathan, however, highlighted freedom and justice as the two key factors that made people to embrace democracy.
He said that in a democracy, people were supposed to be free to express their minds and associate without being victimised.
“When these two elements have been taken away from democracy, then, of course, it’s no longer a democratic state,’’ Jonathan said.
He warned that where democratic systems failed to deliver economic progress, they risk losing legitimacy, describing it as a “gap we must urgently close.
“Our country is not immune to these trends. Nigeria’s journey offers both lessons and opportunities. Our democracy has endured, but endurance alone is not enough.
“Effective policies that promote economic growth are crucial to making our democracy more sustainable.”
The former president said that the path forward for Nigeria was not to choose between democracy and development, stressing, however, that both should be made mutually reinforcing.
“A strong democracy should create conditions for economic growth, and inclusive economic growth should, in turn, deepen and sustain democracy.
“History will not judge us merely by the systems we uphold, but by the outcomes we deliver,” he stated.
Jonathan said that the aim of his foundation was to contribute to governance processes, through its annual “Democracy Dialogue,” which brings experts from across Africa to brainstorm on developmental themes.
He commended the contributors to the report, while urging policy makers, civil society and the private sector to act on its findings with urgency and commitment.
This, Jonathan said, would help in building a Nigeria where democracy is truly felt through opportunities, prosperity and justice for all.(NAN)
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