African leaders torment their people instead of serving them – Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says African leaders must change their idea of what governance entails and how to lead their people.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the African Heritage Concert and Awards in Kigali, Rwanda, on Saturday, Jonathan said African leaders must prioritise serving their people and not making life difficult for citizens.

Jonathan, who bagged the ‘African Democracy and Peace Icon Award’ at the event, called on African leaders to avoid turning themselves into “bosses of the people”.

The former president added that such leaders should be concerned about the legacies they are going leave behind.

“When you are called the executive president, our duty is to run our country properly, not to dehumanize human beings and make their lives difficult. What you should think is when you leave office, what will the world remember for?” he asked.

“Will the world remember you for killing people? Will the world remember you for jailing people, or will the world remember you for destroying their systems?

“What people will remember you for is what should guide our decisions, and I believe every leader should begin to think that when you leave office, one day you will be remembered one way or the other, positively or negatively.”