Former President, John Dramani Mahama, has expressed the need for African nations to give meaningful democracy a chance.

According to him, democracy is a more preferred alternative to the coup experienced by some African countries.

Speaking ahead of the elections in Nigeria scheduled for February 25, 2023, Mr Mahama recounted Ghana’s coup era some 57 years ago. With this, he emphasized the need for Ghanaians and patriotic security agencies and armed forces to mark this day, February 24, 2023, as one of reflection.

Mr Mahama further urged Ghanaians to remain loyal to the 1992 Constitution as “we begin the task of rescuing our dear nation from the dark pit the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has plunged us into”.

“I further urge all Africans to give meaningful democracy a chance, the very reason for which I am presently here in Nigeria as Head of the West African Elders Forum on an election mediation mission, as the country votes on Saturday.”
John Dramani Mahama

Reliving the coup which occurred in the country, the former President stated that the Danquah-Busia political tradition on 24th February 1966, conspired with external intelligence agencies to initiate Ghana’s first coup d’état, which toppled the government of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

This coup, he explained, was achieved through a conscious and constant campaign of “falsehood and calumny”.

“In 1966, I was a young boy still in primary school. But I remember highlights of the dark days that followed the February 24, 1966, coup. The perpetrators woefully failed to liberate Ghana as they had promised. They instead initiated a long nightmare that destroyed Nkrumah’s vision for Ghana and Africa.”
John Dramani Mahama

As a former President of Ghana who has also been at the “receiving end of the Danquah-Busia tradition’s campaign of slander and sabotage”, His Excellency Mahama noted that he can empathize completely with the quandary President Nkrumah found himself in.

Nonetheless, he expressed the need for Ghanaians to forge ahead and build a more resilient and democratic country.

Mr Mahama’s comments come in the wake of tensed atmosphere in Nigeria as it prepares to go to the polls on February 25, 2023.

Prior to this, in Nigeria, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Ahmed Ammani, launched a manhunt for the killers of a senatorial candidate for Nigeria’s opposition Labor Party, Oyibo Chukwu, who was shot and burned in his campaign vehicle in the country’s southeastern Enugu State.

The politician was murdered along with an unnamed personal aide by assailants police suspect were operatives of banned separatist group.

Nigeria elections a milestone

Meanwhile, a Govenor of Osun state in Nigeria, Ademola Adeleke, has described the upcoming February 25 general elections as a milestone in the nation’s democratic development. To this end, he expressed the need for all eligible voters to take up their voting cards and “get set” for the historical elections tomorrow.

osu — Governor of Osun state in Nigeria, Ademola Adeleke

Senator Adeleke highlighted that electoral authorities have provided an enabling environment for the conduct of free and fair elections.

“My good people of Osun state, the general election is here and we have a patriotic duty to actively join the electioneering process. Your vote is your power and your ticket to securing good governance for yourselves and our future generation. Our government has declared today a public holiday.”
Senator Ademola Adeleke

Senator Adekele cautioned the public against electoral violence. He indicated that security agencies are under strict instruction to clamp down on hoodlums and agents of violence.

“I have equally instructed service commanders to arrest thugs wherever they may be. This election must be held under a peaceful atmosphere. Democracy is about choice, not killing and maiming. I urge all of us as agents and lovers of democracy to make Osun state the most peaceful throughout this election period and beyond.”
Senator Ademola Adeleke