PSDdF calls for strong democratic institutions 

Members of the Private Sector Development for Democracy Forum (PSDdF) have stressed the need to strengthen democratic institutions towards achieving inclusive and sustainable democracy.

They identified such institutions as media, judiciary, electoral bodies and accountability agencies.

Speaking at a meeting with private sector leaders in Lagos, yesterday, the Chairman, Steering Committee of Private Sector Development for Democracy Forum, Adeyemi Candide-Johnson, described corruption as a force against institutions.

He said the environment must be made harsh and intolerable for corruption to thrive, adding that whistle-blowers must be protected and corruption agencies must be strengthened.

According to him, corruption remains a major barrier to Nigeria’s democratic and economic development, eroding public trust and weakening government institutions.

He added that the private sector’s involvement in corrupt activity remained as predominant as the public sector’s involvement due to a combination of factors.

Chairman of American Business Council Nigeria (ABC), Margaret Olele, said after the conversation, “We are advancing the course of National Development Plan.

Political officer, U.S. Consulate, Lagos Brittany Orange, described the nation’s media as an important institution in sustaining democratic culture.

Country Director at the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), Lola Adekanye stressed the need to build trust among stakeholders. She identified such stakeholders as the private sector, policymakers and public sector.