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Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday called for strategic alignment of democratic governance with sound economic policies to ensure the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s political system.
Jonathan made this statement at the launch of a research report conducted by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) in Abuja.
The report is entitled: “Strengthening the Link between Democracy and Economic Growth in Nigeria.”
The former President urged policymakers to move beyond elections and focus on building transparent and accountable institutions that will create an environment where innovation and business can thrive.
Jonathan noted that the meeting comes at a critical time when democracy is under increasing pressure globally due to economic hardship, social pressure, insecurity and growing distrust of public institutions.
He said: “Sometimes when I look at the topic, I ask myself, can we say that democracy will produce better government than other forms of government like we see in the Arab world, namely monarchies?
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“Most of you go to Dubai, the center of the world. I know some American friends who send their kids to school in Dubai and it’s not a democracy.”
The former President added that in countries like China, some people question whether what they are running is pure democracy or a different type of government.
According to him, the recruitment process in China is almost second to none, because ‘we are talking about the quality of people’.
“In China, they combine selection and election; so before you become mayor of any city, you are screened and you are one of the best.
“Can we really say that our democracy is anywhere near that?” he added
However, Jonathan highlighted freedom and justice as two key factors that make people want to embrace democracy.
