By Henry Umoru,

ABUJA—FORMER Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan have made the list of eminent personalities of Save Democracy Group Africa, SDGA, that would form a club of past Presidents in Africa to ensure there was respect for constitutionally stipulated tenure of office for political leadership in Africa.

Jonathan and Obasanjo

Addressing journalists, yesterday, in Abuja on the forthcoming Nelson Mandela International Roundtable on Political Development in Africa, Director General, SDGR, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, said it had become imperative to have a club of past African Presidents, who conducted themselves well and left the stage when it was time to do so, unlike some Presidents who have perpetuated themselves in office against the wishes of the people.

According to him, some serving Presidents will join the eminent persons group when they leave office.

He added that for democratic culture to grow on the continent, there must be respect for constitutionally stipulated tenure of office for the political leadership.

He said:  “When elected leaders seek to short-change their own people and the very constitution which they swore to protect at the commencement of their tenures, they act against good conscience and the sovereignty of their people.

“This erodes their moral authority to continue in office and results in revolts and resentments, which reduces their effectiveness in office and retards their contributions to development of their respective countries.”

Buhari to open Nelson Mandela Int’l roundtable

He also said President Muhammadu Buhari would declare open the occasion, which would be a gathering of African and international political leaders, on Tuesday, August 23, 2016.

He also said the roundtable would be a platform for the development of hybrid of ideas for African democracy.

According to him, the roundtable with the theme, “Presidential Constitutional Term Limits and the Future of African Democracy,” will have the Vice President of Liberia, Joseph Nyumah Boakai, as one to deliver the keynote speech.

He said Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State would chair the roundtable, adding that the political roundtable would push for the establishment of a coordinated continent-wide advocacy team against disrespect for constitutional term limits.

Okwenna, who noted that the event would also be used to institute annual Nelson Mandela award for good governance among African political leaders, noting that it will be preceded by the inauguration of the African Youth Parliament on Monday, August 22, 2016.