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By Tracy Moses
The Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has emphasized that the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) is aimed at promoting an indigenous model of democracy across West Africa, with the goal of fortifying institutions and upholding constitutional governance within the region.
Speaking during an ongoing RPD Stakeholder Engagement with resident ambassadors in Nigeria on Thursday, 15th May 2025, Tuggar said the partnership is designed to support democratic governance through collaborative efforts involving governments and civil society actors in West Africa.
“Our objective is to reinforce democracy, to strengthen democratic institutions, and to work hand in hand with both state and non-state actors to promote constitutional rule in our region,” Tuggar said. “Democracy must not be seen as an external imposition. What we’re striving for is a model of democracy that is rooted in our values and experiences, one that is authentically African.”
He explained that Nigeria’s leadership in developing the RPD was not about ownership, but about collaboration.
“We are not laying claim to the ownership of this initiative. Nigeria conceptualized the idea, but it is open to partnerships. We are inviting all stakeholders to join us in advancing this vision, which aligns with the broader aspirations of President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” the minister added.
Tuggar expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential to deliver long-term benefits, including regional stability, deeper democratic engagement, and improved civic awareness.
“We held a session yesterday with regional countries, represented by their ambassadors, where we introduced the concept of the RPD. Their response was overwhelmingly positive, and we are now working together on a communique. Today, we engaged ambassadors from outside the region, encouraging them to support the initiative and collaborate with us,” he noted.
For Nigeria, he said, the ultimate outcome would be peace, stability, and a populace with a better grasp of democratic values. “We know democracy faces challenges, not just here, but globally. This is our response to that reality.”
Also speaking at the event, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, affirmed the agency’s commitment to co-developing and supporting the RPD initiative.
“Your leadership demonstrates the critical role that democratic institutions play in building inclusive and resilient societies,” Attafuah said. “This flagship initiative stands out as a bold step toward institutional integrity, broader citizen participation, and targeted support for women, youth, and marginalized communities.”
She described the RPD as a “model for meaningful national-international collaboration rooted in trust and shared goals,” adding that despite the pressure on democratic systems in West Africa, there remains a powerful current of innovation, resilience, and leadership throughout the region.
In their remarks, Mr. Dapo Oyewole, Prof. Kamaludeen, and Hon. Simi Fajemirokun-Ajayi jointly described the RPD as a forward-thinking initiative, not merely a reaction to recent democratic setbacks.
According to them, the project builds on a long-standing regional commitment to democratic ideals and seeks to institutionalize home-grown solutions to shared governance challenges.