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.