Funmi Adekoya
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke says democracy can only survive in Africa when leaders allow free and fair elections just as elected leaders serve the interest of the citizenry.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed Olawale Rasheed, the Governor stated this during a three-day executive retreat organized by the African office of the United Nations Development Programme in Kigali, capital of Rwanda.
Speaking as part of the 16 state governors who attended the retreat, Governor Adeleke attributed challenges facing democracy in Africa to the refusal of elected officials to deploy state power in service of the people and a follow-up trend of resisting the free and fair electoral process.
While stressing the importance of due process and the rule of law for democratic survival, Governor Adeleke noted that leadership positions should be seen as a tool for service to the people.
He urged leaders to have fear of God as the foundation for leadership success.
”Our people put us here. So we must serve their interest. If we fail to serve their interest, we must accept when we are voted out. Once we are elected, we must be on our toes and make a difference. That is how democracy can thrive.
”Democracy in whatever form must bring development. If democracy does not produce development, there will be problems with the system. I love what I see in Rwanda. There are serious lessons to learn”.
Governor Adeleke also noted that the people too must play their parts, to be active and defend the electoral process in order to ensure free and fair elections.
In his submission, one of the African leader, Donald Kaberuka, emphasized the essence of contemporary leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Mr. Kaberuka maintained that legal compliance, legitimacy, and empathy are pivotal attributes, calling for fair governance and inclusive leadership.
Governors from Nigeria who attended the retreat include those of Oyo, Abia, Anambra, Benue, Cross River (represented by the Deputy Governor), Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger, Nassarawa, Taraba, Sokoto (represented by the Deputy Governor) and Zamfara.
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