By Bonaventure Melah

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, questioned the form of democracy being practiced by Nigeria , saying the system has failed to meet the dreams and aspirations of citizens.

Jonathan said there are countries that are not practicing western style democracy but are proving quality governance for their people citing China as an example.

He therefore called for stronger alignment between democratic governance and sound economic policies, warning that Nigeria must deliver real development outcomes if its democracy is to remain sustainable.

The former president made the remarks in Abuja at the launch of a research report by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) titled: “Strengthening the Nexus between Democracy and Economic Growth in Nigeria.”

He urged policymakers to move beyond the conduct of elections and focus instead on building transparent, accountable institutions capable of fostering innovation, enterprise and economic growth.

Jonathan said the conversation around democracy is becoming more urgent globally, as many countries grapple with economic hardship, insecurity, social tensions and declining trust in public institutions.

He therefore asked whether democratic systems automatically translate into better governance, pointing to examples of non-democratic or hybrid systems that have recorded significant development strides.

“Sometimes when I reflect on these issues, I ask myself: can we truly say democracy always guarantees better governance than other systems, such as what we see in parts of the Arab world or in monarchies?” he said.

He noted that despite not operating a democratic system, countries like China and Dubai have continued to attract global attention, investment and even foreign students.

“Many people travel to Dubai, which has become a global centre. I know some Americans who even send their children there for schooling, yet it is not a democracy,” he added.

He said that in China, governance combines elements of selection and election, yet, the system produces highly competitive leadership recruitment model.

“In China, before anyone becomes a mayor, there is a rigorous filtering process to ensure only the most capable individuals emerge. When you consider that, can we honestly say our democracy is operating at that level?” Jonathan queried.

However , Jonathan maintained that democracy remains attractive because of its core principles of freedom and justice, which he described as fundamental to human dignity and societal progress.

He concluded that for democracy to endure in Nigeria, it must deliver not just political participation but also tangible economic benefits that improve citizens’ lives.

Earlier in her welcome address, the   Executive Director of the Foundation, Ann Iyonu noted that the true test of democracy doesn’t stop at elections but schools that function, clinics and hospitals that work for the people, structures that last, and institutions that deliver.

She said democracy should be judged by results, not just elections, adding that the challenge is not lack of laws or agencies but enforcement strategies put in place by government.

“Democracy thrives when institutions uphold rules, procurement is transparent, audits lead to action, and reforms survive political turnover,” she said.

According to her,  government needs to dogitaluze procurement, strengthen audits, reward transparency and ensure reforms on service delivery.

In his remark, Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who was represented by his Special Adviser, General Duties, Aliyu Modibbo, praised Dr. Jonathan for his exemplary leadership qualities and the value he added in Nigeria’s leadership process, adding that the former president remains a hero for his selfless service and sacrifices to sustain Nigeria’s unity.

In his own remark , Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Office, Dr. Abubakar Kana, enumerated some achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and said government welcomed constructive criticisms from patriotic citizens. He commended Dr. Jonathan for his patriotism and statesmanship.

Others who spoke at the event include Dr. Matthew Ayibakuro, Governance Advisor to FCDO, who said democracy is achieved only when leaders pursue a public-centric agenda, prioritizing basic infrastructure and human capital empowerment for real democratic dividends; Public Affairs analyst, Majeed Dahiru who was among the lead discussants and representatives of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Other who spoke at the event include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume who was represented by. Public Affairs analyst, Majeed Dahiru, representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC; Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Media Rights Agenda, Acion Aid.

The event was attended by many dignitaries including former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi and members of the diplomatic community while Stanley Achonu presented the Research Report.

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