The Monitor (Kampala)
3 July 2009
In Honduras, a country of about 8 million people in the long isthmus that connects North and South America, President Manuel Zelaya attempted to amend the constitution by means of a referendum in order to extend his term of office. Many in his party and government did not agree with him and so did the armed forces whose commander was thereby dismissed by the President.
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That is the same principle that governs the British parliamentary system – a referendum allows the ruling party to get the public’s approval by calling elections periodically to let the people decide whether the current administration’s policy and governance is in tandem with the electorates’ wishes. It keeps the rulers on their toes and fakers out, while maintaining stability if the incumbent is a good one – why change, for change sake. This approach has helped Uganda’s economic growth, tremendously. Unlike Presidential system, which is very rigid - until the 4-year term is wasted, the electorate cannot change a very bad regime like the one Nigeria has today – the hapless Nigerian public is the loser as a result. If the public thinks Tandja is doing such a wonderful job, then they have the right to keep him - it is the public's prerogative, why should the West suppress such mandate That would be Western dictatorship - pretty soon, they will be telling us how to think, what to eat, when to sleep, who our friends should be, etc. Get a grip.