From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Ahead of the 2027 general election, political heavyweights—including incumbent and former Vice President Kashim Shettima, Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), other party leaders, former Head of State Abdulsalam Abubakar, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—will meet next week in Abuja for a two-day conference to deliberate on threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
Miffed by electoral malpractices, ineffective political parties, weakened governance structures, pervasive corruption, and erosion of public trust in Nigeria, the organisers disclosed that the conference is aimed at strengthening Nigerian democracy.
Briefing the media in Abuja on Thursday, the lead representative of the organisers, Otive Igbuzor, revealed that five collaborating organisations—African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Westminster for Democracy (WfD), Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), and the National Peace Committee—are behind the event.
The two-day event, with the theme “Strengthening Nigeria Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity”, will also feature the former Vice President of Ghana, Mahamudu Bawumia, delivering a keynote address, while Jibrin Ibrahim is expected to speak on challenges, prospects, and the 2027 elections.
The goal of the conference, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday next week, according to the organisers, is to reignite hope, rebuild trust, and lay out a roadmap toward a strengthened democratic system that serves all Nigerians with integrity and accountability.
According to Igbuzor: “As conveners, we are committed to addressing the complexities and setbacks Nigeria’s democratic system currently faces, with the purpose of finding actionable solutions that can restore and strengthen our national governance.”
“The very purpose of the conference lies in a vision for a democracy that is genuine, resilient, and inclusive. As many of us know, Nigeria’s democratic journey, though spanning 25 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, is beset by structural and functional flaws. These range from electoral malpractices, ineffective political parties, and weakened governance structures to pervasive corruption and a concerning erosion of public trust.
“Despite decades of democratic practice, the realities faced by Nigerians today often reflect disillusionment rather than hope. The goal of the conference, therefore, is to reignite hope, rebuild trust, and lay out a roadmap toward a strengthened democratic system that serves all Nigerians with integrity and accountability.
“First, we recognise an urgent need for democratic reforms. At the heart of our democratic challenges lies the pressing requirement for a political environment free of manipulation, imposition, and exclusion. For too long, the political landscape in Nigeria has been dominated by elite cliques, leaving citizens feeling alienated from the governance processes that directly impact their lives.
“Our aim through the conference is to initiate reform efforts that will strengthen our electoral process and ensure that our leadership selection process is credible.”
Speaking on the need to mobilise and strengthen political parties, the organisers said the focus of the conference includes fostering the development of political parties that are truly representative, open to internal democracy, and accountable to the people.
“By addressing these issues, we envision political parties that champion the voice and needs of Nigerians, providing viable choices for leadership and governance.
“Another key reason we are organising the conference is the need to mobilise citizens for democratic resilience. Democracy is only as strong as the citizens who uphold it. As conveners, we believe that engaging Nigerians at all levels—from grassroots communities to influential stakeholders—is fundamental to creating a resilient democracy.
“The conference is, therefore, an avenue to reignite civic engagement, encouraging Nigerians to actively participate in the democratic process and to demand accountability from leaders at every level. Through such mobilisation, we aim to foster a culture of informed citizenry, with the power to shape and safeguard our democracy.
“Finally, the conference serves as a platform for building sustainable partnerships and strategies for democratic renewal. Nigeria’s democracy will only flourish when backed by a collaborative approach that brings together government institutions, civil society, the media, and citizens.
“Through the discussions, panels, and technical sessions planned over a period of two days, we will establish a network of partnerships and actionable commitments that will drive us toward our shared vision. The outcomes from the conference will provide a solid foundation on which we can rebuild confidence in our institutions, increase transparency, and set a standard of integrity for future governance,” the organisers noted.