by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
Nigeria and the United Nations (UN) have officially signed a new Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), a collaborative framework aimed at enhancing electoral processes, addressing political instability, and reinforcing democratic institutions across West Africa.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar emphasized that the initiative demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to fostering a stable, citizen-focused democratic environment on the continent.
Tuggar explained that the RPD is designed to assist African countries in tackling persistent governance challenges, such as weak institutions, low citizen engagement, and increasing political violence. He highlighted that despite reforms at both national and regional levels, many African nations continue to face difficulties in conducting credible elections, preventing unconstitutional government changes, and countering the growing influence of misinformation. The RPD, he noted, provides a locally-driven response by promoting democratic practices grounded in African values.
Describing the RPD as a key contribution of President Bola Tinubu toward strengthening democracy in Africa, Tuggar confirmed that the RPD Secretariat will operate from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with its technical team based at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Abuja. While Nigeria and the UN are the initial signatories, the agreement is open to all West African nations and is expected to expand to other regions of Africa seeking sustainable democratic solutions.