‘Coups in Africa linked to Corruption, Poor Accountability’

The Spotlight for Transparency and Accountability Initiative (ST&A) has linked the persistence of coups in African countries to corruption and poor accountability by the political leaders.

The Chief Executive Officer of ST&A, Mu’azu Alhaji Modu, stated this newsmen at Dr. Kole Shattima Civic Innovation Hackathon for Northeastern states held at the Bricks Point Hotel, Damaturu, Yobe State.

He said the gradual fatigue around democracy in Africa is directly or indirectly linked with the corruption and poor accountability which are creating public anger, and open the door for military intervention.

Modu said for every functional democracy, there must be a transparency, accountability and rule of law, adding that when there is transparency and accountability citizens will see the divided of democracy and reject the military rule.

‘‘So, if you look at what is currently happening in West Africa, it’s directly or indirectly linked with the corruption and for accountability. And for every functional democracy, there must be a transparency, accountability and rule of law.

‘‘So when there is transparency and accountability, citizens will see divided of democracy, the military and the citizens cannot agitate for the people in power. So as long as we failed to address these, the coup will keep coming up in African countries, including Nigeria’’ He said.

Speaking on Dr. Kole Shettima Innovation in Democracy Challenge, Alhaji Modu said the Hackathon was aimed at strengthening democracy and accountability among the youth ecosystem in Northestern Nigeria.

He added that 12 innovators with ideas of advancing democracy and accountability in the Northeastern states were selected and trained on how to mobilize resources and scale up their impact, adding that three best winners will received N500,000 each as seed funding.

In his remark, the Executive Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) Engr. Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, called for the inclusive use of artificial intelligence and digital technology to strengthen democratic participation and governance in Nigeria.

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