Democracy Day: Former President Jonathan urges action against do-or-die politics in Nigeria

In a notable address at a public lecture commemorating Nigeria’s 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, Former President Goodluck Jonathan emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, to confront the underlying factors perpetuating do-or-die politics in the nation.

Held at the State House conference centre in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan stressed the imperative for both the political elite and the populace to phase out divisive factors such as region and religion from Nigerian politics.

He called on President Tinubu to champion a democracy characterized by free expression and devoid of friction.

Jonathan advocated for leadership by example, asserting that elected officials must reflect the will of the electorate through their conduct and policies.

He underscored the importance of ensuring that the dividends of democracy are accessible to all citizens, irrespective of their economic or social status, condemning instances where the children of political officeholders flaunt wealth at parties, a sight incongruous with the democratic ideals Nigerians aspire to.

Furthermore, Jonathan critiqued the winner-takes-all mentality prevalent in Nigerian elections, deeming it detrimental to national unity and fostering resentment among the populace.

He called for a more inclusive model where political parties receive proportional representation based on their electoral performance.