Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has once again sounded a loud warning to African leaders, political parties, and citizens about what he describes as the biggest danger to the continent’s political future — electoral manipulation. Speaking at a recent democracy dialogue, Jonathan emphasized that the manipulation of electoral processes remains one of the greatest threats to peace, stability, and development in Africa.
According to the former president, democracy in Africa is passing through a critical moment, where the people’s faith in the electoral system continues to waver. “When elections are not credible and transparent,” he said, “citizens lose trust in the political process, and this can ultimately destroy democracy itself.”
The Danger of Electoral Manipulation
Jonathan explained that electoral manipulation takes many forms — from vote buying and rigging to intimidation, falsification of results, and judicial compromise. These acts, he said, are not only undemocratic but also rob the people of their right to choose their leaders freely.
“When citizens know that their votes no longer count, they begin to withdraw from the democratic process. That is when democracy starts to die,” he warned.
He stressed that electoral manipulation breeds disillusionment, frustration, and in some cases, violence. Across Africa, many nations have witnessed political crises and even military coups triggered by electoral injustice. Jonathan argued that when leaders are imposed on the people rather than freely elected, the outcome is usually poor governance and instability.
Democracy at Risk
The former president described the current wave of instability in parts of Africa — including coups, mass protests, and voter apathy — as a symptom of broken democratic systems. He cautioned that if African nations do not urgently reform their electoral processes, the dream of true democracy may fade away.
“Democracy must deliver justice, peace, and progress. If it fails to do so, people will naturally begin to look for alternatives, and those alternatives may not always be democratic,” he said.
Jonathan’s warning comes at a time when several African countries have experienced electoral tensions. From Kenya to Nigeria, Zimbabwe to Senegal, disputes over election results have often threatened peace and divided societies.
A Call for Electoral Reforms
The former president urged African governments and electoral commissions to embark on sincere reforms that will restore credibility to elections. According to him, reforms should focus on strengthening institutions, ensuring transparency, and building systems that make it impossible to manipulate results.
He also advised that electoral management bodies should be truly independent — free from political control or influence. “No democracy can survive when its electoral umpire is compromised,” he said.
Jonathan, who has led several international election observation missions across Africa, highlighted that countries with stronger institutions tend to experience more peaceful transitions of power. He called for investment in technology, voter education, and accountability measures to ensure that every vote counts.
Citizens’ Role in Protecting Democracy
While urging leaders to act responsibly, Jonathan also challenged African citizens to take ownership of their democracies. “Democracy is not only about government; it is about the people,” he said.
He encouraged voters to participate actively in political processes — from registering to vote, engaging in civic discussions, and holding leaders accountable. He reminded the youth in particular that democracy will only grow when citizens demand transparency and reject corruption.
The former president also appealed to young people not to allow politicians to use them as tools for violence or propaganda during elections. “You must defend your votes peacefully and protect the integrity of the process,” he said.
Leaders Must Be Accountable
In his address, Jonathan stressed that leadership must be based on service, not personal ambition. He urged African leaders to remember that the power they hold belongs to the people. “When leaders fail to perform, citizens should have the right and the power to vote them out — peacefully, through the ballot box,” he noted.
He warned that when leaders manipulate elections to remain in power, they erode the moral foundation of governance and set their countries on the path of political decay. True leadership, he said, is measured by integrity and the willingness to respect the will of the people.
Strengthening Democratic Institutions
Jonathan also emphasized the need for stronger institutions — particularly the judiciary, legislature, and security agencies. He said these institutions must operate independently and without political interference if democracy is to thrive.
He observed that weak institutions allow politicians to exploit loopholes and manipulate systems. “If our institutions are strong, no one will dare to rig elections or subvert the rule of law,” he said.
He further called on regional organizations like ECOWAS and the African Union to take stronger positions against electoral malpractice and unconstitutional changes of government.
Conclusion
Goodluck Jonathan’s message is a sober reminder that Africa’s democratic journey is far from complete. While the continent has made significant progress over the past two decades, the persistence of electoral fraud, weak institutions, and political greed continues to threaten that progress.
For democracy to survive in Africa, elections must be credible, transparent, and truly reflect the will of the people. Citizens must remain vigilant, leaders must act responsibly, and institutions must stand firm.
As Jonathan concluded, “Democracy is not a destination but a journey. It will only endure when the people and their leaders commit to fairness, justice, and truth.”
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