Nigeria’s former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has urged the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to work assiduously in building a democracy that would reduce friction. Â
Jonathan who stated this (today) 11th June during the 25th Anniversary Democracy Day Public lecture currently holding in Abuja, identified the rising cases of litigations trailing Nigeria elections as embarrassing and a threat to democracy.
He explained that in order to reposition the nation’s democracy for the better, citizens must desist from practicing regional and religious politics.
The former president who stressed on the need to promote an egalitarian society, averred that the political class must lead by example by closing the widening gap between the elites and the ordinary citizens.
“For democracy to yield the desired result, we the political class, elites must lead by example and work with unity of purpose. We must work together despite our political differences. A situation where the children of the political class go to the parties and spread dollars is not the kind of democracy we need.” He stated in parts.
Jonathan who stated that democracy is a journey an not a destination added that despite daunting challenges, Nigeria democracy has a chance to get better under the present administration which is starting the next 25 years of Nigerian democracy.
While calling on president Bola Tinubu to provide Nigerians with good governance, Jonathan urged the National Assembly to fashion out a model of democracy that will suit the country and discourage the zero-sum kind of politics where the winner takes all.
Chronicling the journey of Nigerian Democracy, Jonathan extoled the role of some notable Nigerians for their relentless efforts in birthing a stronger democracy.
