The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) has called on governments and stakeholders across Africa to prioritise inclusive governance and empower citizens to play active roles in shaping their political future.
The Foundation made the call in a statement issued by its Communications Officer, Wealth Dickson Ominabo, to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Democracy.
The GJF joined Nigerians and democracy advocates around the world in marking the day, stressing the need for democracy to go beyond periodic elections and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
“For democracy to be truly impactful, it must extend beyond the periodic ritual of elections to guarantee fundamental rights, expand freedoms, and share prosperity for all citizens,” Ominabo stated.
Highlighting the relevance of this year’s theme to the Foundation’s mission, Ominabo quoted the GJF Executive Director, Ms Ann Iyonu, as saying that the theme, “Raising Hands and Voices – Fostering Agency and Ownership through Deliberative Democracy,” underscored the importance of citizen participation in democratic governance.
“This year’s theme focuses on the role of deliberative democracy, a principle at the heart of our vision and core programming,” Iyonu said.
Ominabo said the Foundation had, over the years, promoted deliberative governance through initiatives including its annual Democracy Dialogue, national peace conferences and electoral mediation missions across West Africa.
He said the Foundation would continue to advocate for a democratic system that placed citizens at the centre of governance.
“As we mark this day, we reiterate that democracy is only meaningful when it serves all citizens and places the people at the centre of governance,” he stressed.
The GJF Communications Officer called on governments and key stakeholders to build societies where citizens’ voices count and people could actively participate in deciding who governed them and how they were governed.
He added that empowering citizens to influence the direction of governance would contribute to building a more peaceful, just and egalitarian society.
