SPEAKERS at the second edition of the Abuja Policy Lab, a signature public engagement programme of the German Embassy, have described freedom as the mainstay of democracy, stressing that citizens must be assured of tangible benefits to inspire popular participation.

 

Dignitaries at the event, which had the Executive Director of Ene Obi Centre for Development, Ene Obi; Technical Advisor, Regional Partnership for Democracy and Foreign Affairs Analyst, Alkasim Abdulkadir and the Resident Representative, Heinrich-Boll-Stiftung, as panelists, included diplomats, leaders of civil society groups, policy experts among other stakeholders.

 

Welcoming the participants to the Embassy of the Republic of Germany, Abuja, the venue of the programme, the German Ambassador, Her Excellency, Annett Gunther, observed that virtually all democracies across the world were facing growing threats not only from disinformation and polarization, but also from declining public trust in institutions and the media.

 

The Ambassador noted that her country’s history demonstrates the indubitable fact that democracy, freedom and the rule of law require constant protection and renewal, even as she echoed Karl Popper’s postulation that tolerance and freedom could not survive if their enemies were allowed to exploit those freedoms unchecked.

 

Tagged, “The open society and its enemies: How do we defend our freedom?” the second Abuja Policy Lab examined the various impediments of democratic freedom. In his contribution, the Executive Director of Ene Obi Centre for Development, Obi, remarked that for democracy to thrive, citizens must participate actively in governance and be able to consistently demand accountability from public institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

She lamented that the constrictions in Nigeria’s civic space, especially the under-representation of women, youths and persons with disabilities constitute obvious impediments to true democratic governance.

 

On her part, Ms Knebel, Resident Representative of Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, maintained that governments at various levels should guarantee that democratic institutions dispose to genuine accountability, even after periodic elections, eve as she noted that citizens should be made to benefit from democracy.

 

While urging for inclusive governance, dialogue and respect for human rights, the Resident Representative cautioned discriminatory rhetoric, stressing that political narratives that undermine the rule of law should be avoided.

 

“Governments,” she noted, “must respond effectively to citizens’ concerns over inequality and insecurity. Resilient institutions, independent judiciaries, credible electoral bodies, pluralistic media and civic education are critical to preventing extremists from exploiting democratic weaknesses.”

 

Another panelist, Abdulkadir, regretted that poverty, weak service delivery and poor governance create opportunities for anti-democratic forces to thrive, adding that democracy should improve citizens’ lives for it to earn their confidence.