Partners For Democracy Day 2024: A Loud Drumbeat of Hope Over the Fragile Decades of Unbroken Democracy in Nigeria

Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic, Chinua Achebe, once said, “A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy, educated, participatory followership and an educated, morally grounded leadership.” Time has revealed that upholding the tenets of democracy, a bedrock of modern society, is the collective duty of the citizens and the political leadership, more so for a nation whose democracy lies in a fragile state.

Against this backdrop, civil society organizations like Global Democracy Coalition, Co-Creation Hub, GoVote, BudgIT, and others continue to lead the frontline in bridging the knowledge gap and defects in accountable leadership, equitable service delivery, and the continuation of democratic governance worldwide.

Following such an enormous mission, on March 19, 2024, in commemoration of the 2024 Partners For Democracy Day event, Global Democracy Coalition, Co-Creation Hub, GoVote, and BudgIT hosted a laudable gathering and conversation on the theme ‘Decades of Unbroken Democracy in Nigeria: The Ups and Downs.’ The event was held at Civic Hive Center, Yaba, Lagos, with distinguished speakers/panelists that included Professor Remi Sonaiya (2015, Kowa Presidential Candidate), Deji Akinpelu (Co-founder, Rethinking Cities), and Hon. Obijiaku Chukwuemeka Udenweze (Labor Party Local Government Chairman Aspirant, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos State). The event was hosted by Iyanuoluwa Bolarinwa, BudgIT’s Head of Open Government and Institutional Partnership.

Standing in for BudgIT’s Country Director, Gabriel Okeowo, who was unavoidably absent, Gift Iheukwumere, BudgIT’s Head of Finance, welcomed the eager participants by emphasizing that the event is a transgenerational conversation on the country’s decades of democracy and the need to actively participate in keeping that democracy intact. She urged the participants to have an open mind, ask questions, and bring their opinions and suggestions to the table.

At the commencement of the event, Iyanuoluwa stated that the event was to serve as an avenue to gather ideas, opinions, and suggestions from all nations where democracy is practiced to ensure “everyone is on the same page, pushing the reins of democratic systems and ensuring our freedom are not taken away from us.”

“Democracy is still the best form of government,” Iyanuoluwa emphasized, a statement that aptly reflected Lola Shoneyin’s stance in A Fragile State, a loud poetic rendition commemorating the 2024 Partners For Democracy Day. He went ahead to clarify the aim of the gathering as follows:

• To gather the thoughts and opinions of participants to see how, as citizens, everyone can contribute to ensuring that democratic systems become perfect
• To hear from participants on the challenges they currently face in ensuring their input counts in democratic events, e.g., elections
• To hear the speakers’ opinions, experiences, and suggestions to inform citizens’ role in advancing democracy

Deji Akinpelu, Co-founder of Rethinking Cities, an advocacy group on urban development, emphasized a growing trend where governments dodge their key responsibilities, watering down the concept of public-private partnerships as a route for every form of social services, leaving the question, “What other functions should the government offer in meeting the needs of its citizens?” “If the city is all commercialized, how will citizens in the lower income bracket meet up with healthcare services, access to education, and so much more?” he asked.

He advocated that citizens must rethink their attitude toward governance. Regardless of who they vote for during elections, they must demand accountability, rethink the system, and question the actions of those who govern them. He also highlighted the need for governments to be emulators and partners in initiatives changing life from the grassroots, such as Tunde Onakoya’s ‘Chess In Slums’ initiative, and take the right steps in dealing with matters of public interest, such as the demolition of buildings in certain places in Lagos without proper notice or due diligence to former owners.

Hon. Obijiaku Chukwuemeka Udenweze emphasized the importance of getting involved in public leadership and pointed out the challenges of being a contestant in a state where, although he was born and raised, he was still considered an outsider. However, he was resolute in bringing change by joining the political makeover of Nigeria. He urged participants to be aware of the discrimination and biases they would encounter in the course of steering the nation on the right course and be the generation that sets things right.

Professor Remi Sonaiya, a 2015 Presidential Kowa Candidate with over 30 years of experience in the education sector as a university lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University, started by sharing her inspiration—a strong urge—for deciding to join the political realm. She said, “It was clear that our affairs were not being run by the right people because you could not convince anyone that Nigerians lacked resources. So, in 2008, I decided to join politics and leave the university because politicians are the determiners of the quality of our lives. If we let them do as they please, if good people don’t join politics, we will have no mouth to complain.”

She narrated the challenges she faced on her way to becoming a presidential candidate, such as becoming the PRO before representing the party in the national elections.

On why the current state of despondency in Africa and Nigeria, she mentioned that Nigerians are unusually talented and owe the world an explanation, if not an apology, for being in the current state they find themselves as it is so unbelievable that on the one hand, they are so gifted and recognized by the world, while on the other hand, one would look at their country and see this (something less). In summary, she recognized the power of youth involvement in nation-building and positive representation, especially among those still domiciled in Nigeria. She encouraged an unrelenting spirit in the face of all opposition and slow progress.

The event dovetailed into a panel and question and answer session where the participants asked questions about how to keep a positive attitude despite the outcomes of the 2023 general elections, how to navigate seclusion and merge with other changemakers to educate and grow the grassroots movement, ways to navigate a political career should they desire so, and more questions on matters of service delivery. The speakers spoke at length on these issues; the following is worth noting.

“How Did We Fail As A Country?”

Remi Sonaiya believed it was due to how Nigerians have accommodated mediocrity, generalized non-performance, allowed incompetent people to lead, and opinionated that Nigeria needs to return to a true federalism system and do the right thing—fix what is wrong. In another conversation, she suggested scraping the national assembly if their roles no longer serve the common people and reducing political officers’ salaries to the same as university lecturers to dissuade the gluttony of seeing public offices as money-making ventures.

“How Do We Go About Doing the Right Thing?”

Deji Akinpelu questioned the national assembly’s pride in light of the current wave of events and suggested building stronger systems and institutions that treat all citizens equally. He noted that restoring dignity to systems with credibility is a fight worth fighting and that the people’s voice matters. He encouraged participants to give young people who contest in any capacity the respect they deserve for even coming out and support them while they strengthen their knowledge and capacity.

“How can We Strengthen Public and Democratic Systems?”

Hon. Obijiaku Chukwuemeka Udenweze advocated for strengthening public systems and said that citizens must shun apathy and disinterest in matters of national interest and gather in spaces and circles of influence to share ideas, challenges, and stories.

On strengthening democratic systems, Professor Remi Sonaiya quoted the saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” as the right mindset to adopt and went on to mention that Nigeria can model Dr. Oby Ezekwesili’s ‘FixPolitics Initiative’ three triangular pillars for the proper working of democracy: supply, demand, and governance.

Supply: Identify the type of politicians we need and prepare them for future leadership roles with the right competence and characters

Demand: Citizens must demand and be empowered to demand good governance through coaching on the instruments of good governance, such as the constitution and electoral law.

Governance: Civic actors, citizens, and politicians must work together to improve the electoral system and the process of electing public representatives.

The civic education manual was also introduced at the event. Copies were distributed to participants, and an e-copy is available for easy download.

Like they say, all is well that ends well. The Partners For Democracy Day event 2024 was a brilliant synergy of interest and exposure such that the hall was unforgettable, unable to contain the mammoth participants that turned up, a display of the desire of the Nigerian youth to get the nation working well. As noted during the course of the event, hope is a force we must harness to uproot the draconic system of impunity, disregard for the rule of law and the constitution, and blatant waste of national resources. Civil society continues to be the beacon of this hope, and events like this rekindle the trust for a chance of Nigeria’s rebirth, justice, and a society that serves everyone in the hearts of battered and disenfranchised youth.

In the poetic canvas of Lola Shoneyin, “This is why we fight to keep it, fold it into our palms, hold it tight. This is why we must hammer out its imperfections, pound it, mold it, bake it in the kilns of our histories. We chant because we remember, and we never want to live a day without it ever again.” Democracy is the only type of government we can count on for the future we desire; let’s do all we can to protect and advance it.