Democracy Must Deliver Results, Tuggar Tells AU Leaders

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening and safeguarding democratic governance across Africa with the launch of a Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), aimed at preventing democratic decline through institutional reform and regional cooperation.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, made this known at a High-Level Ministerial Forum on the RPD held on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Addis Ababa.
Addressing African leaders, development partners and representatives of multilateral institutions, Tuggar observed that while democracy is widely embraced across the continent in principle, it is increasingly being tested in practice.
“Democracy in Africa must do more than survive; it must command trust through delivery,” he stated.
Democracy Under Strain
The minister noted that public confidence in democratic institutions has been eroded by governance deficits, unmet socio-economic expectations and declining institutional performance.
He cautioned that threats to democracy are not limited to military coups, but can also arise from within democratic systems through weakened accountability, exclusionary politics and growing disconnect between governments and citizens.
According to him, fragile democratic environments often create openings for external interference and unconstitutional changes of government.
Nigeria’s Preventive Strategy
Tuggar explained that Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched the Regional Partnership for Democracy in November 2025 as a preventive framework to strengthen democratic systems before crises emerge.
“The task of renewing democratic governance in our region cannot be carried out by one country alone,” he said, stressing the importance of collective responsibility.
He described the RPD as a flexible platform aimed at enhancing the capacity, independence and credibility of democratic institutions, including electoral bodies, legislatures, judiciaries and oversight agencies.
Priorities for Democratic Renewal
The minister outlined three key priorities for ensuring democracy delivers meaningful and sustainable outcomes across Africa.
First, he called for the strengthening of professional, independent institutions capable of fulfilling their constitutional mandates without undue influence.
Second, he emphasised the need to link democracy to tangible socio-economic progress, including improved service delivery, job creation, social protection and equitable development.
“Citizens must experience democracy not only at the ballot box, but also through better living conditions,” Tuggar said.
Third, he highlighted the importance of inclusive participation, particularly for youth and women, who remain underrepresented in governance despite forming the majority of the continent’s population. He advocated investment in civic education, leadership development and responsible digital engagement to counter misinformation and polarisation.
Call for Collaboration
Tuggar urged African states, development partners and institutions to support the RPD through technical assistance, knowledge sharing, institutional capacity-building and predictable financing aligned with African priorities.
He also stressed the need for coordination with Regional Economic Communities and relevant AU organs to ensure sustainability and long-term impact.
Nigeria’s Commitment
In his closing remarks, the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democratic governance, regional solidarity and multilateral cooperation.
He maintained that democracy in Africa can best be safeguarded through prevention rather than reaction, and through solutions anchored on public trust and local ownership.
“It is by strengthening democracy before it falters that we secure its future,” Tuggar said.