Citizens’ engagement key to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy, says Otive Igbuzor

Otive Igbuzor, executive director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, says citizens’ engagement is vital for building a resilient democracy.

Igbuzor spoke in Abuja on Monday during the opening of the national conference on strengthening democracy themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s democracy: Pathways to good governance and political integrity.”

He said the nation’s democratic progress, over the past 25 years, has been hindered by structural and functional issues.

“These include electoral malpractices, ineffective political parties, weakened governance structures, pervasive corruption, and a troubling decline in public trust,” Igbuzor said.

“Despite practising democracy for decades, Nigerians often experience disillusionment rather than hope.”

He said that the conference seeks to restore hope, rebuild trust, and chart a course towards a democratic system grounded in accountability and integrity.

“First, we recognise an urgent need for democratic reforms. At the core of our challenges lies the demand for a political environment free from manipulation, imposition, and exclusion,” he said.

“For too long, elite groups have dominated Nigeria’s political space, leaving citizens disconnected from the governance processes that affect their lives.

“Our objective through this conference is to initiate reforms that will strengthen our electoral system and establish credibility in leadership selection.

“Second, we aim to mobilise and strengthen political parties. Political parties form the backbone of any democracy, yet in Nigeria, they often fail to embody transparency, accountability, or responsiveness.

“This conference focuses on promoting political parties that are representative, practice internal democracy, and remain accountable to the people.”

Igbuzor noted that the event was convened to mobilise citizens in support of democratic resilience.

“Democracy is only as robust as the citizens who sustain it. We believe that engaging Nigerians at all levels—from grassroots communities to key stakeholders—is essential to building a resilient democracy,” he added.

“This conference seeks to rekindle civic engagement, urging Nigerians to actively participate in democracy and demand accountability from their leaders at every level.

“By encouraging such mobilisation, we hope to cultivate an informed citizenry capable of shaping and protecting our democracy.”