The Consul General of the United States in Nigeria, Will Stevens, explained that the increasing trend of military takeovers in African countries is a result of leaders who refuse to relinquish power after their term in office.

Stevens expressed concerns about the challenges Africa is facing, such as climate change and food insecurity, emphasizing that democratic stability is crucial for addressing these problems.

Speaking at the launch of the ‘Recycling Waste to Wealth Challenge’ competition for secondary school students at the Abeokuta Window on America in Ogun State, Stevens highlighted the need for African leaders to embrace the principles of democracy and ensure peaceful transitions of power.

He commended Nigeria for its 25 years of uninterrupted peaceful democratic transitions, citing former President Olusegun Obasanjo as an example of a leader who served and then stepped aside for his successor. Stevens urged other African nations to learn from Nigeria’s example.

Stevens also pointed out that some neighboring countries have experienced long-serving presidents for 20, 30, or even 40 years, which leads to democratic instability and increases the risk of coups.