Nigeria’s steady democratic progress must be strengthened, says Ghana’s ex-VP

Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s former vice-president, says democracy has become firmly established in Nigeria despite political challenges in recent years.

Speaking at a national conference in Abuja on Monday, Bawumia commended Nigeria for its commitment to democratic governance despite threats.

The event, themed ‘Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathways to Good Governance and Political Integrity,’ brought together leaders and experts to discuss ways to improve governance.

Referencing the 2023 Open Society Barometer report, Bawumia said 92 percent of Nigerians value living in a democratic society, with 69 percent identifying democracy as their preferred form of government.

“The 2023 Open Society Barometer report established that 92 percent of Nigerians say it is important to live in a democratically governed country, with a further 69 percent settling on democracy as the preferred form of government,” he said.

“This leaves nobody in doubt that democracy has taken root in Nigeria. Let us strengthen it.

“Strengthening democracy is not an event. It will require sustained efforts collectively applied to multiple sectors, institutions, and structures.”

The former vice-president highlighted Nigeria’s role as a leader in Sub-Saharan Africa and called for continued progress in democratic governance.

Bawumia called on Nigerian leaders to reform economic systems to prioritise citizens’ welfare, while urging citizens to actively advocate for good governance.