A citizen-led national conference aimed at addressing key challenges threatening Nigeria’s democracy is set to take place on Monday in Abuja.

The two-day event will bring together prominent political figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former military head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Others expected to participate are the 2023 presidential candidates of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, among other stakeholders.

The conference is being organized by a coalition of civil society organizations, including the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WfD), Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), and the National Peace Committee.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the chief organiser, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Founding Executive Director of Centre LSD, emphasized that the conference will tackle the complexities and setbacks facing Nigeria’s democratic system.

He noted that the objective is to develop actionable solutions to strengthen governance and restore public trust in the democratic process.

Igbuzor noted that despite witnessing an uninterrupted 25 years of civilian rule, the country’s democratic journey is beset by structural and functional flaws, hence the need for the two-day conference.

With the theme “Strengthening Nigeria Democracy: Partway to good governance and political integrity” former Vice President of Ghana, Mahamudu Bawumia will deliver a keynote address while Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim is expected to speak on challenges, prospects and the 2027 elections.

Igbuzor said: “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 road map toward a strengthened democratic system that serves all Nigerians with integrity and accountability.

“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.”

On the need to mobilize 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 organizing the conference is the need to mobilize 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 mobilization, 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.

Igbuzor maintained that the conference is expected to increased public awareness and engagement, strengthened institutions and accountability, and renewed confidence in democracy.

“By setting actionable steps for the future, we seek to empower Nigerians to believe in the possibility of transformative and visionary leadership,” he concluded.