Commit To Rule Of Law, Democracy, Jonathan Urges African Leaders

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on African leaders
to adhere to the rule of law and prioritise equality and justice in
order to build a continent of peace, prosperity and
development.

Jonathan made the call during the Ninth African Leadership
Magazine Person of the year award ceremony organised virtually
during the weekend where he was awarded with the African Peace and
Security Leader of the Year 2020.

In his acceptance remarks, the former president stated that for
peace to reign, those who wield power should respect the rule of
law, be fair to all and dispense justice in a manner that promotes
equity and boosts the people’s confidence in their nation.

“When politicians undermine democratic principles and usurp
citizens’ rights, it creates a situation that impacts negatively on
peace and development,” he said.

Jonathan also underscored the importance of democracy, stable
leadership and peace and development to national growth.
He stated: “In Africa, it appears we see the political process as a
civil war or a fraudulent enterprise that has no rules. This is
unhealthy for our polity as it impedes our development.”

Jonathan, in a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Mr.
Ikechukwu Eze, said that leadership commands a great influence in
the affairs of men, such that the fate of a nation is often
interconnected with that of the leader.
According to him, leaders that promote peace and build institutions
always focus on those deliveries that cater to the needs of our
citizens and keep them safe.

“More than in any other parts of the world, self-centred and
egocentric contests for power by African politicians had, more
often than not, unleashed widespread violence and insurgency on the
African soil.

“Peace in our continent is mainly threatened by political
instability, poor democratic practices and weak institutions. Many
African nations that are today mired in conflicts, or just emerging
from one, often have such crises rooted in the struggle for
leadership.

“I always make the point that there is a clear link between a
nation’s social and economic standing and its position in the
global conflict index. Nations with fewer conflicts and more stable
leadership tend to be richer and better off in the human
development profile,” he added.

Jonathan stated that the nations with the lowest progress on the
official United Nations Human Development Index, many of them in
Africa, are those that are either poorly governed or embroiled in
leadership struggles.

Jonathan thanked the publisher of African Leadership Magazine
and the award committee for the honour, saying that “I am delighted
that my little contributions towards peace and sustainable
democracy in our continent are being recognised.

“Awards and recognitions are good because it reassures the
recipients that their little contributions to the growth of society
have not gone unnoticed. It also comes with a sense of
responsibility which jolts the awardees to the fact that they can
no longer go below a certain threshold. To all of us receiving the
award today, it is, therefore, a nudge to do more.”

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on African leaders
to adhere to the rule of law and prioritise equality and justice in
order to build a continent of peace, prosperity and
development.

Jonathan made the call during the Ninth African Leadership
Magazine Person of the year award ceremony organised virtually
during the weekend where he was awarded with the African Peace and
Security Leader of the Year 2020.

In his acceptance remarks, the former president stated that for
peace to reign, those who wield power should respect the rule of
law, be fair to all and dispense justice in a manner that promotes
equity and boosts the people’s confidence in their nation.

“When politicians undermine democratic principles and usurp
citizens’ rights, it creates a situation that impacts negatively on
peace and development,” he said.

Jonathan also underscored the importance of democracy, stable
leadership and peace and development to national growth.
He stated: “In Africa, it appears we see the political process as a
civil war or a fraudulent enterprise that has no rules. This is
unhealthy for our polity as it impedes our development.”

Jonathan, in a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Mr.
Ikechukwu Eze, said that leadership commands a great influence in
the affairs of men, such that the fate of a nation is often
interconnected with that of the leader.
According to him, leaders that promote peace and build institutions
always focus on those deliveries that cater to the needs of our
citizens and keep them safe.

“More than in any other parts of the world, self-centred and
egocentric contests for power by African politicians had, more
often than not, unleashed widespread violence and insurgency on the
African soil.

“Peace in our continent is mainly threatened by political
instability, poor democratic practices and weak institutions. Many
African nations that are today mired in conflicts, or just emerging
from one, often have such crises rooted in the struggle for
leadership.

“I always make the point that there is a clear link between a
nation’s social and economic standing and its position in the
global conflict index. Nations with fewer conflicts and more stable
leadership tend to be richer and better off in the human
development profile,” he added.

Jonathan stated that the nations with the lowest progress on the
official United Nations Human Development Index, many of them in
Africa, are those that are either poorly governed or embroiled in
leadership struggles.

Jonathan thanked the publisher of African Leadership Magazine
and the award committee for the honour, saying that “I am delighted
that my little contributions towards peace and sustainable
democracy in our continent are being recognised.

“Awards and recognitions are good because it reassures the
recipients that their little contributions to the growth of society
have not gone unnoticed. It also comes with a sense of
responsibility which jolts the awardees to the fact that they can
no longer go below a certain threshold. To all of us receiving the
award today, it is, therefore, a nudge to do more.”