Former President Goodluck Jonathan has raised fresh debate about democracy, saying he sometimes wonders if it always produces better leadership than other systems of government.…WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
He made the remarks at a public event in Abuja, according to a report by LEADERSHIP on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
Jonathan explained that while democracy is widely praised, some countries without democratic systems,such as monarchies in the Arab world, have managed to achieve fast development. He pointed out that democracy’s main strength is not just in growth but in protecting the freedom of citizens.
He asked whether democracy can truly be said to give better results than other forms of rule, especially when some non‑democratic nations appear to be moving forward quickly.
Jonathan urged both leaders and citizens to look beyond economic progress when judging governments.
He said, “Sometimes, I ask myself, can we really say that democracy will lead to better governance than other forms of government like we see in the Arab world, the monarchies?”