Adherence To Laws Will Solve Nig’s Challenges – GEJ

By Georgina Humphrey

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says most of Nigeria’s challenges will be solved if political leaders respect and obey the laws of the land.

He stated this while declaring open a two-day Special Envoys Retreat organized by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, IDEA, in Abuja.

The Former President who lamented that democracy is facing so many challenges in Africa stressed that there are many expectations for the retreat to among other things proffer solutions to the unconstitutional change of government in Africa which is on the increase.

“We can not move forward in the fight for inclusive constitutional democracy without the involvement of key political players to aid the implementation of results from the retreat” he added.

He explained that the issue of inclusivity is not new to the ECOWAS because there is a strong connection between democracy and development.

“I believe we need to select political leaders that will respect our laws and most of our challenges will be solved”.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Secretary General of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, IDEA, Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora promised to assist Nigeria in strengthening the rule of law and protecting democracy across the globe.

“When democracy allows power to be tightly controlled by a small cabal of self-serving elites, it squanders one of its crucial assets and endangers its future. And this is, let’s be honest, what has become the course in democracies all over the world.

Dr. Casas-Zamora who said inclusive constitutional transition should be encouraged to straighten the rule of law in democratic societies added that IDEA would continue to support Africa to deliver the dividends of democracy.

“When democracy is allowed to be controlled by a few powerful individuals in the society, it will give room for squandering” he emphasized.

On his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, represented by the Director of Foreign Services, Ambassador Salisu Umar attributed cases of unconstitutional change of government in Africa as a great challenge which needed to be reverted.

Tuggar added that inherent practices in Africa require thinking outside the box and an inclusive system of government.

International IDEA, was established in 1995 as an intergovernmental organization, dedicated to promoting sustainable democracy worldwide which specializes in policy-friendly research and analysis related to elections, parliaments, constitutions, digitalization, climate change, inclusion, and political representation, all aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Edited By Grace Namiji