ABUJA, NIGERIA —To help collaboration and cooperation toward delivering credible, free, and transparent elections in Nigeria in 2019, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and partner organizations will host a “Democracy That Delivers” forum for Nigeria’s business community, civil society, and government on October 15.
Nigerian Vice President Oluyemi Oluleke “Yemi” Osinbajo will be the guest of honor. Mr. Osinbajo is expected to deliver a keynote address emphasizing the role of government in encouraging democratic dialogue for governance and increasing civic participation in the election process. The forum will feature four panel discussions led by prominent members of Nigeria’s private sector and civil society, including noted economist Professor Patrick Utomi and international relations expert Professor Ayo Dunmoye, in addition to numerous political leaders and other distinguished guests.
All of these stakeholders and policymakers play critical roles in strengthening the democratic system in Nigeria and ensuring peaceful elections. The forum will give participants the opportunity to spotlight challenges, such as inclusion in governance matters and other concerns regarding election processes, then identify new ways they can work toward solutions together and increase transparency. Recommendations and commitments made at the forum are expected to be published in November.
The Nigeria “Democracy That Delivers” forum activities and resulting document may build on commitments outlined in the January 2018 Ouagadougou Declaration, a cooperation agreement signed by the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and others. Working groups from those countries, as well as Ghana and the Ivory Coast, explored ways to create better conditions for economic growth, political stability, and long-term security. That initiative was launched jointly by CIPE, World Movement for Democracy, the United States Chamber of Commerce’s Africa Business Center, and the Burkina Faso government.
CIPE will host the upcoming Nigeria forum in collaboration with the International Republican Institute (IRI), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and Solidarity Center. All are core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy. CIPE, which is also an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, works to strengthen democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform.