National conference : Shettima, Atiku, Obi, others to brainstorm on electoral challenges

In a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and promote good governance, a national conference is scheduled to take place on Monday.

The event will focus on addressing key issues such as electoral malpractice, ineffective political parties, corruption, and the erosion of public trust in governance.

Prominent figures set to speak at the two-day event include Vice President Kashim Shettima, former military Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s former presidential candidate Peter Obi, New Nigeria Peoples Party’s Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), among others.

Themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” the conference will feature a keynote address by former Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. Professor Jibrin Ibrahim is also slated to discuss the challenges, prospects, and preparations for the 2027 elections.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) and one of the event’s organizers, highlighted the urgency of tackling issues undermining Nigeria’s democracy.

“The purpose of the conference is to ignite a discussion aimed at tackling the pressing challenges that threaten the very foundation of democracy in our country,” Dr. Igbuzor said.

The conference is organized in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WfD), Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), and the National Peace Committee.

Dr. Igbuzor further emphasized the need for reform, stating, “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.

“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,” he added.

The event will also focus on mobilizing political parties to embrace internal democracy and become more accountable to the electorate. Organizers noted the importance of fostering political parties that genuinely represent the interests of Nigerians and provide viable leadership options.

“By addressing these issues, we envision political parties that champion the voice and needs of Nigerians,” said the organizers.

Dr. Igbuzor stressed the importance of engaging citizens, noting that democracy thrives when citizens are actively involved. “The conference is an avenue to reignite civic engagement, encouraging Nigerians to participate in the democratic process and demand accountability from leaders at all levels,” he stated.

The conference aims to build sustainable partnerships among government institutions, civil society, media, and citizens to advance democratic renewal. Discussions, panels, and technical sessions over the two days will explore actionable commitments and strategies to rebuild public trust and strengthen governance.

Organizers hope the conference will increase public engagement, reinforce institutional accountability, and restore 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,” Dr Igbuzor said.