Jonathan Critiques Nigeria's Democracy Compared to China, Dubai

At the launch of a research report titled "Strengthening the Nexus Between Democracy and Economic Growth in Nigeria," former President Goodluck Jonathan remarked that Nigeria's democratic system is not on par with the governance models of China and Dubai. He highlighted the importance of moving beyond just conducting elections to establishing transparent and accountable institutions capable of fostering innovation and economic growth.

Jonathan pointed out that many countries are grappling with economic hardship, insecurity, and declining trust in public institutions, making the conversation around democracy increasingly urgent. He questioned whether democratic systems automatically lead to better governance, citing examples of non-democratic hybrid systems that have achieved significant developmental strides.

He referenced Dubai as a global hub that attracts investment despite not operating under a democratic system and noted China's governance model, which combines selected and elected elements, producing a highly competitive leadership recruitment process. Jonathan maintained that democracy remains attractive due to its core principles of freedom and justice, which are essential for societal progress.