…Frowns at “democracy built on sentiments”
By Egena Sunday Ode
Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has advocated a model of democratic practice that will be more inclusive and reinforce social cohesion.
The Former President who was the Chairman of the 25th Democracy Day Anniversary, stated this at the Banquet Hall of the State House, on Tuesday during his remarks on the Democracy Day Public Lecture titled 25 years of Enduring Democracy: Prospects for the Future.
Dr Jonathan tasked Nigerian leaders from national to sub-national levels to consciously tackle the issue of ‘democracy built on sentiments ‘ saying it must be consciously re-addressed for the nation to achieve a solid and enduring democracy .
He decried the increasing figures of litigation after each election cycle saying they are the evident result of the zero-sum approach to politics adopted by the Nigerian political class.
“I am not recommending proportional representation but different governments come with democracy that suits them and all Presidents of the world do not emerge through the same process, the powers of the President are defined by different constitutions.
“So our National Assembly can also look at models that will suit us. The zero-sum that parties with 40 per cent of votes at the state level will have nothing and resort to the do or die, that zero-sum approach is inimical to consolidating and strengthening our democracy.”
He tasked the National Assembly to re-model the Nigerian democracy calling for the system of governance that will suit the Nigerian nation.
“The avalanche of litigation that follows every election in this country is embarrassing and because of the kind of democracy we practice, democracy built on all kinds of sentiments , such as the way of worship and where you come from, you have to gradually ensure that in the next 25 years this is gradually diluted if we must have a solid and enduring democracy and I know you and the President will have the capacity to navigate the process.
“So our National Assembly can also look at models that will suit us”.
Dr Jonathan also called for a nation that would create boundless opportunities for all Nigerians and promise better future of tangible reality to all citizens.
“Let me conclude by saying that together we can have a Nigeria where every citizen will have a voice where opportunities are bound and where a promise of a better tomorrow is not a dream but a tangible reality
The Former Nigerian Leader said it was time for renewed determination that would facilitate transformative and more inclusive democracy, he also reiterated the need to build a democracy that will reduce friction in the country.
“Let us therefore celebrate this 25 years of unbroken democracy with pride and renewed determination to ensure that the next 25 years of democracy are more transformative, more inclusive and more prosperous for all Nigerians.
“We must not hand over a democracy built on politics of region and religion but a democracy built that will endure and that will not wobble.
“For me, we are hoping you will build more infrastructure for us, improve on quality of education and facilities but one key thing that for the next 25 years you will midwife is to build a democracy that will reduce friction.”
