Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, has warned that electoral manipulation continues to pose one of the greatest threats to democracy across Africa.

Speaking at the 2025 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, Jonathan emphasized that when democratic systems fail to meet the expectations of citizens, it fuels frustration and can open the door to authoritarian rule.

He stressed that African leaders must commit to building a democratic culture that guarantees a brighter future for young people and ensures that citizens’ voices are respected.

“Democracy on the African continent is currently under strain and faces the risk of collapse unless stakeholders unite to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats we face,” Jonathan said.

He further noted, “We in Africa must reassess our democratic practices to make them truly serve our people. A major challenge lies in our electoral systems, where processes are often manipulated by those desperate to cling to power.”