The Judiciary Stages Coups in Africa – Prof Lumumba

     by Oyagiri Chime-emele

An erudite African scholar, Prof Patrick  Lumumba, has stated that the judiciary also stage coup d’etat in Africa to topple citizens’ votes through its misinterpretation of the constitution to suit certain interests.

Prof Lumumba, who was the keynote speaker at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, GJF  Democracy Dialogue 2023, with the theme; “Breaking New Grounds in the Democracy – Development Nexus in Africa, Thursday, September 28 at Yenagoa, explained that the twisting  of constitutional meanings  to subvert the people’s will can be likened to a coup d’etat.

He maintained that the people’s will must count in order to build trust for democracy to be sustained, adding that institutions must also be stabilized and made effectively anchored on constitutional provisions of the country.

The erudite scholar frowned at the way African countries copy the colonial masters instead of building and developing an African prototype of democracy, which according to him,  has turned supposed ‘servant leaders’ to leaders against their people.

He called for unity of purpose amongst Africans, warning against power drunkenness, sit tight leadership style, ineptitude in governance and total lack of culture of respect for institutions by those either manning or supervising it.

Lumumba reminded participants of natural life phenomenon of ‘garbage in, garbage out’. He pointed out that no institutions can be strong with weak handlers.

He reiterated that governance is a serious business and should not  be left in the hands of those that would continue to plunge the continent into avoidable chaos like is the case in some countries today.

 He Hinted that in some African countries no schools, farming, no health services or even good shelter for the citizenry. Instead, he said; “The facilities built there are being destroyed. It will take them generations to rebuild them.”

In his remarks, chairman and founder of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF), Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, said the GJF Annual Democracy Dialogue is an initiative that’s brings together stakeholders across Africa to examine issues of democracy and crisis in the continent towards proffering solutions.

According to Dr. Jonathan, “democracy in the continent has gone through a period of crises that thrive by social tension, coup d’etat, insecurity and poor management of electoral processes, which in itself is a threat to our democracy in Africa.”

He pointed out that the theme of the dialogue underscored the fact that the people need to see democracy beyond elections and what happens after by the way of good governance.

Also speaking, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, invited the international community to observe the November 11 governorship election in the state in order to protect the integrity of the process.

The governor said the decision to re-elect him or choose a governor for the state should be the people’s prerogative but, however, expressed concern that some of his opponents were resorting to violence, intimidation and brigandage to subvert the will of the people.

In his remarks, the Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, Ogiame Atuwatse III, noted that the interest of the people should be paramount in whatever system of government that is adopted, whether traditional or democracy.

The Olu who went mystical, stated that every being should know that the ‘land’ is alive and bears witness to the cries of the downtrodden and knows the injustice suffered by the people and feels their pains.

He enjoined the politicians to always do what they know is right and beneficial to the society in order to be in alignment with God. 

The monarch, who  described Nigeria as very important to the black man all over the world, blamed the lack of respect for the black race on the inability of African countries to get it right in governance.

Also speaking, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Touray, blamed the lack of development in Africa on weak institutions that have failed to hold leaders accountable.

In her goodwill message, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, called for strengthening of democratic institutions through  inclusiveness of women, youths and the vulnerable in the society.

Panel discussants were former president of Sierra Leone, HE Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, Amb. Joe Keshi, former Vice President of the Gambia, HE Fatuomata Tambajang, Prof. Ibaba Samuel Ibaba, former Director, Ford Foundation, Dr. Adhiambo Odaga, member, Board of Trustee, GJF, Prof. Adebayo Olukoshi and Governance Adviser, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office, British High Commission, Dr. Matthew Ayibakuro.

The GJF Democracy Dialogue series started about eight years with a vision to engineer a peaceful, just and progressive nations of Africa.