Political Titans Shettima, Atiku, And Obi To Debate Nigeria’s Democratic Path In Pre-2027 Dialogue

Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Military Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are among the prominent figures slated to lead discussions at a major conference in Abuja on Monday.

The conference, designed to fortify Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections, will also feature Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; and NNPP presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

With the theme, “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” the two-day event will include a keynote speech by Ghana’s former Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, alongside a presentation by Professor Jibrin Ibrahim on the challenges and expectations for the 2027 elections.

Focus on Democratic Reforms

At a press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development, highlighted the event’s purpose. According to him, the conference seeks to address Nigeria’s democratic challenges, including electoral fraud, weakened governance, corruption, and diminishing public trust.

Discussions will center on strategies to improve electoral integrity, reduce corruption, and rebuild confidence in governance systems.

Dr. Igbuzor also stressed the need for political parties to evolve into platforms that prioritize the collective interests of Nigerians over personal or sectional gains.

“By tackling these issues, we aim to inspire political parties to truly represent the voice and aspirations of the people, offering credible options for leadership and governance,” he stated.