African leaders told to respect constitutional term limits

The Save Democracy Group (SDG) has urged African leaders to imbibe a democratic culture that respects constitutionally stipulated tenure of office.
The Director General of the SDG, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, who made the call yesterday in Abuja, said when elected leaders seek to shortchange their people and the constitution they swore to protect, they act against good conscience and the sovereignty of their people.
“The sit-tight mentality of some African leaders has resulted in revolts and resentments, which reduce their effectiveness in office and retards their contributions to development of their respective countries,” Okwenna said.
He urged leaders to learn from Nelson Mandela as an exemplary leader who respected the constitution, adding that in a bid to propagate the ideals and values which the late South African leader represented, the group was holding an international roundtable on political development in Africa on Tuesday, August 23.
The theme roundtable which will be attended by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Vice President of Liberia Joseph Nyumah Boakai and other African leaders, is: ‘Presidential Constitutional Term Limits and the Future of African Democracy.’