Kingsley Chinda, House Minority Leader, has blamed the increasing number of coups in the recent decade on the actions of selfish and greedy politicians who failed to serve the people.
Hon Chinda expressed his dismay at the rise in military takeovers in the continent, saying it was sad that the continent was beginning to roll back democratic gains made since the fights to end military leadership across Africa in the 1980s and 1990s.
The minority leader said it was noteworthy that residents who would normally disapprove of the coups were now seen praising them.
Several Gabonese took to the streets last week to celebrate the collapse of the Bongo Ondimba government, whose family had run Gabon for the past 56 years.
Similarly, citizens in Niger state have questioned the Economic Community of West African States’ determination to reinstall President Bazoum’s government.
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Hon Chinda argued that if the leadership of both countries had been able to provide quality services to the people, shown respect for the rule of law, and demonstrated their ability to safeguard lives and property, the military would have no reason to stage coups.
“Fact is, having suffered long and painful years of total neglect by their Leaders through official insensitivity, deliberate class segregation, enforcement of inimical political and economic programmes and other negative decisions and actions, sadly the sound of martial music has become a welcome relief and friend for citizens,” he said.
“Leaders in these countries in their respective bids to achieve inordinate ambitions take decisions and actions to perpetrate themselves in office, and in some cases turn the Leadership of their county to the family’s birthright.”
Hon Chinda concluded by asking African leaders to quit changing and gaming the system to stay in power and neglect democracy.
