The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) has called on governments and stakeholders across Africa to prioritise inclusive governance and empower citizens to determine their political future.
The foundation stated this in a statement by its Communications Officer, Wealth Ominabo, on Wednesday in Abuja to mark the 2026 International Day of Democracy.
The theme for year 2026 is “Raising Hands and Voices – Fostering Agency and Ownership through Deliberative Democracy.”
Ominabo stressed that democracy must extend beyond election routines to deliver tangible dividends.
“For democracy to be truly impactful, it must extend beyond the periodic ritual of elections to guarantee fundamental rights, expanding freedoms, and shared prosperity for all citizens,” Ominabo stated.
Ominabo quoted GJF’s Executive Director, Ms Ann Iyonu, as highlighting the relevance of this year’s theme with the foundation’s mission.
The executive director, according to Ominabo, noted that the theme focused on the role of deliberative democracy, a principle at the heart of GJF vision and core programming.
“Over the years, the foundation has actively championed deliberative governance through initiatives such as our annual democracy dialogue, national peace conferences, and electoral mediation missions across West Africa.
“As we mark this day, we reiterate that democracy is only meaningful when it serves all citizens and places the people at the centre of governance,” she is quoted as saying.
Iyonu, according to the statement, called on governments and key stakeholders to commit to building a society where the people’s voices truly count.
She is quoted as calling for a society where citizens actively decide who governs them and how they are governed, and where every individual is empowered to determine the direction of their nation’s governance.
“In doing so, we can build a society that is peaceful, just, and egalitarian,” she said.
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