Jonathan, in Washington DC said that he was aware as governor of Bayelsa state then that the former President agitated for a third term in office but failed to actualize it.
Jonathan who was a guest of the U.S National Democratic Institute (NDI) in the United States said that the strong resistance of the National Assembly at the time (between 2006 and 2007), made Obasanjo’s bid for the third term to fail.
“Of course, I was a governor at that time, but due to strong resistance from the National Assembly, the third term bid failed.”
Jonathan stressed that Africa needs strong parliaments to checkmate sit-tight presidents who influence parliaments to consider amendment to the constitution that would extend their stay in office.
“Changing constitutions to eliminate term limits in order to favour incumbents is inconsistent with democratic principles and reduces confidence in democratic institutions.”
He warned that repressive actions by some of these leaders are setting disturbing precedent for the region and continent, adding that it is not a sustainable path which he said has been the reason he is setting up a Goodluck Jonathan Foundation “to address these issues and mediate in the continent.”
The former President, who recently led an international observer delegation of the Commonwealth to the Tanzanian national elections, shared his views on the elections and their significance in the consolidation of democratic progress in Tanzania.
He said that the election in Tanzania was an improvement from previous elections held in the country and revealed that the only weakness is that once the electoral umpire has declared a winner, the loser cannot contest the results in a law court or election petitions tribunal. [myad]
