Shettima, Abdulsalam, Atiku, Obi, Others For Pro-democracy, Good Governance Confab

Vice President Kashim Shettima, former military Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidates of Labour Party and Nigeria Peoples Party in the 2023 polls;

Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are expected to speak at a conference on strengthening democracy/good governance.

They will be joined by the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullhi Ganduje, to discuss electoral malpractices, ineffective political parties, weakened governance structures, pervasive corruption, and a concerning erosion of public trust, among other issues.

The two-day event, which will be held in Abuja from Monday and will have the theme “Strengthening Nigeria Democracy: Partway to good governance and political integrity,” will feature former Vice President of Ghana Mahamudu Bawumia delivering a keynote address while Professor Jibrin Ibrahim is expected to speak on challenges, prospects, and the 2027 elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, one of the organisers and founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), Dr Otive Igbuzor, said the purpose of the conference is to propel a conversation around tackling the pressing challenges that threaten the very foundation of democracy in the country.

He said the conference is supported by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WfD), Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) and
National Peace Committee.

Igbuzor said: “As conveners, we are committed to addressing the complexities and setbacks Nigeria’s democratic system currently faces to find 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 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. Therefore, the conference aims to reignite hope, rebuild trust, and lay a road map 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 to strengthen our electoral process and ensure that our leadership selection process is credible.”

Speaking on the need to mobilise and strengthen political parties, he said the conference’s focus includes fostering the development of political parties that are genuinely 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 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 participate in the democratic process actively 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 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,” Igbuzor added.