YIAGA, Ford Foundation to hold conference on Nigeria’s democracy in Washington

Samson Itodo, executive director of YIAGA Africa, says his organisation, National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the Ford Foundation will hold a conference on Nigeria’s 20 years of democracy in Washington DC, US.

The conference which is scheduled to take place between October 22 and 23 has as its theme: ‘Nigeria’s Democracy at 20: Reflections and Reform’.

In a statement issued on Friday, Itodo said the conference provides an opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s democracy and to deliberate on ways of how to deepen it.

The YIAGA director said the 2019 general election – sixth national election since 1999 – reflects the strengths and weaknesses of the country’s democracy.

“The event is designed to raise the profile of and build on on-going election review and governance reform conversations in Nigeria and mobilize international support for democratic reforms in Nigeria. The conference will also feature a special roundtable on Nigeria’s economy and restructuring at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), John Hopkins University, Washington, DC,” Itodo said.

“Whilst the political space is pluralistic and competitive, democratic institutions remain weak, and civic space restricted. Citizens have real expectations for government officials, and failure to meet these expectations can result in removal from office through the ballot, even as public trust in state institutions declines.

“Government structures and systems, including the electoral management bodies, security forces, and the courts are guided and constrained by democratic rules. And yet, politics is exclusionary and divisive.

“Government officials and agencies often fail to operate transparently and respond to the needs and demands of the people. Officials and agencies also fail to abide by the rule of law.”

He said the event would be moderated by Carl Levan, a professor at the American University, Jennifer Cooke and Christopher O’Connor of NED.

“The event will feature a cross section of Nigerian civil society, academics, and government officials discussing 20 years of inconsistent democratic progress, the 2019 elections, and avenues for reform,” Itodo said.

“Key speakers include: Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu, National Commissioner in charge of electoral operations, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, University of Ibadan; Dr Hussaini Abdu, Country Director, PLAN International; Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Ayo Obe, Ezenwa Nwagwu, Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reform Idayat Hassan, Director, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD); Cynthia Mbamalu, Program Manager, YIAGA AFRICA. Others include Kemi Okenyodo, Executive Director, Partners West Africa; Yemi Adamolekun, Executive Director, Enough is Enough; Mufuliat Fijabi, CEO, Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF), and Paul Phillip James, Watching The Vote Training manager.”

He added that the conference “will contribute to tangible policy reform priorities for election management, internal party democracy, security sector governance, and political inclusion”.