By Gabriel Ameh
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called for a shift in how African nations defend democracy — not by reacting to breakdowns, but by preventing them before they happen.
Speaking on the Regional Platform for Democracy (RPD), Tuggar described the initiative as a preventive tool designed to strengthen democratic systems early enough to avoid collapse and restore public confidence in governance.
“The RPD is conceived as a preventive rather than a curative measure. Its purpose is to reinforce democratic systems before they reach a breaking point,” he said.
Beyond Coups: The Real Threats Within
Tuggar cautioned that the dangers facing West African democracies go beyond military coups. According to him, the real instability often begins from within through weakened accountability, exclusionary politics, and a gradual erosion of constitutional principles.
These internal cracks, he warned, create opportunities for external actors to impose governance models that do not reflect local realities.
Three Priorities to Keep Democracy Working
To ensure democracy remains relevant and trusted across the continent, Tuggar outlined
three key areas of focus:
Institutional Independence: Building stronger, autonomous electoral bodies, judiciaries, and legislatures.
Socio-Economic Alignment: Delivering real-life benefits such as jobs, social services, and protection for citizens.
Inclusive Participation: Bringing women and youth into decision-making to reduce polarization and misinformation.
A Collective African Response
Emphasizing collaboration, Tuggar invited more African states and international partners to support the RPD initiative, stressing that the effort must be African-led while welcoming technical and financial support.
“A single head cannot carry a heavy load,” he noted, highlighting the need for shared responsibility in safeguarding democratic systems.
The forum ended with Nigeria reaffirming its commitment to leading regional efforts that prioritize partnership over prescription in securing Africa’s democratic future.
