Attahiru Jega, former chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), issued a stark warning on Tuesday, declaring that democracy across West Africa is under threat due to pervasive governance failures and poor leadership.
Speaking at the “Reflection conference on democratic elections in West Africa” organized by Yiaga Africa in Abuja, Jega highlighted how these factors are fueling a dangerous resurgence of military coups in the region.
Jega pointed out that widespread dissatisfaction among citizens, exacerbated by governance failures, has led to recent coups in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger.
He criticized elected leaders for exploiting public resources for personal gain, neglecting the needs of their citizens, and thereby creating conditions ripe for military intervention.
“The reversals in democratic gains, driven by these persistent challenges, provide the pretext for coups, posing a serious threat to regional stability and hastening democratic decline,” Jega cautioned.
Highlighting the misuse of elections as tools for perpetuating power, Jega lamented that electoral processes have become mere rituals designed to maintain incumbency rather than reflect the genuine will of the people.
He also criticized the divisive role of identity politics, warning that ethnic and religious divisions are being exploited by politicians to consolidate power, thereby deepening social fractures and instability.
Jega called for urgent reforms aimed at bolstering democratic institutions, enhancing transparency, and ensuring electoral integrity.
He stressed the pivotal role of civil society organizations in advocating for these reforms and combating the erosion of democratic norms.
“Citizens and credible CSOs must mobilize effectively to counter the forces driving democratic decline,” Jega urged, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to uphold accountable governance and safeguard democratic processes in West Africa.
The conference, attended by stakeholders and experts from across the region, underscored the urgency of addressing these challenges to secure a sustainable future for democracy in West Africa.
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