Public frustration with elected leaders could fuel military coups in Africa – Yemi Osinbajo

Former Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has warned that growing public tolerance for military coups in Africa reflects frustration with elected leaders who abuse power, weaken constitutional institutions and undermine democratic principles. Speaking at the third Good Governance Africa Annual Lecture, held under the theme Democracy Under Pressure: Rebuilding Trust, Accountability and Institutional Integrity in Africa’s New Political Era, Mr Osinbajo said the trend should prompt a serious examination of the failures of elected governments.

Citing an Afrobarometer report indicating that 53% of Africans would accept military intervention if elected leaders abused their power, he cautioned against interpreting such sentiments as support for military dictatorship. “A coup is an attack, of course, on constitutional government, but the conditions in which coups occur also demand honest reflection,” he said.

“They often follow profound failures in security, accountability, and public confidence.” Mr Osinbajo added that some elected leaders had themselves weakened constitutional rule by manipulating political rules or restricting opportunities for genuine political change. His remarks come amid concerns about political instability, public discontent and the resurgence of military takeovers in parts of Africa.

Good Governance Africa said the lecture was organised against a backdrop of rising protests, political dissatisfaction and violence across the continent. GGA seeks answers to growing democratic discontent Tina Asante-Apeatu, Executive Director of Good Governance Africa’s West Africa Regional Office, said the organisation convened the forum to examine whether growing dissatisfaction with democracy represented a rejection of democratic governance itself or concerns about how it was being practised.

“Research is showing more and more people are complaining,” she said. “People are complaining of democracy, protest, violence here and there, not only in Ghana but in Africa.” She said the organisation wanted to create a platform for citizens to express their views and help identify the factors driving the growing discontent. “So we thought, listen, let’s bring the conversation back on board.

Let the citizens know, or let’s hear from the citizens,” she said. “Is it really that they are fed up with democracy as we know it, or is it that misinformation and disinformation is playing a part here?” Ms Asante-Apeatu said the forum was intended to stimulate public discussion and bring citizens and experts together to better understand the challenges confronting democratic governance.

“So we decided to bring this conversation up to trigger the conversation from ordinary people. I mean, hearing from the experts so we know what is actually happening,” she added. Discussions at the lecture also focused on the abuse of authority and the need to strengthen accountability, with panelists drawn from governance institutions, the legal profession, security services, civil society and research institutions.

One panelist described the prevailing circumstances as a major security threat, highlighting the links between democratic governance, political stability and public confidence in state institutions. Participants also highlighted the need for more participatory democracy, arguing that citizen involvement should extend beyond elections and occasional public consultations to give people a meaningful role in governance and decision-making.

The concerns raised at the lecture point to a challenge facing African democracies: rebuilding public trust in elected institutions while protecting constitutional rule against both authoritarian leadership and military intervention.