A Democracy Forum organized for students and youths in collaboration with the University of Abuja in Abuja, has addressed the importance of democracy and the concerning authoritarian trends in the country.
These were part of the high points of the Frame Democracy Forum organized by Gatefield’s FRAME Democracy Team for students and youth.
Mahmud Jafar, FRAME Democracy Program Manager, opened the forum by reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey over the past 25 years.
Citing the Economist Intelligence Unit’s
democracy index, which ranks Nigeria 104th out of 167 countries as a hybrid regime, he highlighted the need to question whether Nigeria is truly a full democracy.
He pointed out several authoritarian tendencies undermining Nigeria’s democracy, such as threats to press freedom, the overreach of security forces, and the heavy-handed response to dissent.
Jafar emphasized the importance of empowering young people to identify and challenge these influences, quoting Chinua Achebe: “A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy educated, participatory followership, and an educated, morally grounded leadership.”
Keynote Speaker, Mr. J.S. Okutepa, SAN, Principal Partner at J. S. Okutepa, SAN and Company, discussed the challenges of Nigeria’s democratic system, describing it as militarized and prone to thuggery.
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He criticized the lack of accountability and the judiciary’s failure to hold politicians accountable, attributing this to the pervasive influence of Nigerian factors.
Okutepa lamented the deviation from democratic principles and the prevalence of power attained through undemocratic means, leading to a system where political leaders often lack legitimacy and integrity.
Other speakers included Anthony Ubani, who described Nigeria’s system as a “Monopoly Democracy,” and Ehi Idakwo, who highlighted the capture of the Nigerian state and the dangers faced by journalists, stressing the importance of social media for public discourse.
Aisha Yesufu underscored the need for political participation, particularly for the poor,emphasizing that their only value in the current system is their vote every four years.
She urged the younger generation to avoid the mistakes of the past by actively engaging in politics.
The forum concluded with a call to action for the youth to take an active role in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future. By fostering critical discussions and promoting youth engagement, the event aimed to build a more transparent, accountable, and fully democratic Nigeria.
