Two prominent Nigerian former presidents have made the list of eminent personalities of the Save Democracy Group Africa (SDGA).

Vanguard reported that  these two ensured that there was respect for the constitutionally stipulated tenure of office during their periods.

The director-general of the group, Ifedi Okwenna, who spoke in Abuja concerning the forthcoming Nelson Mandela International Roundtable on Political Development in Africa, said it was now necessary to have a club of former presidents who conducted themselves well while in office and handed over when they should.

Africa is home to presidents and political leaders who hold on to the seats for years. Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is known to have spent over 30 years in office. Some have also handed over the position to their children thus making it hereditary.

Okwenna said the listing would continue as there are some others would join when they leave office.

He said this would help discourage political leaders who love to perpetuate themselves in office. He said: “When elected leaders seek to short-change their own people and the very constitution which they swore to protect at the commencement of their tenures, they act against good conscience and the sovereignty of their people.

“This erodes their moral authority to continue in office and results in revolts and resentments, which reduce their effectiveness in office and retards their contributions to development of their respective countries.”

He said the event would witness the coming together of top leaders across Africa and would be declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari.

 Obasanjo, who ruled between 1999 and 2007, is still being accused of an attempt to foist himself on the country for a third term in office.

This attempt failed just as it divided the National Assembly at the period with some of the lawmakers claiming they were bribed while others denied receiving any bribe to alter the constitution in favour of the former president. But Obasanjo has constantly denied this claim saying it is an attempt to give him a bad name.