As Nigeria prepares to choose her political leaders at the polls on 25 February 2023, the Port Harcourt International Conference (PHIC) 2023, which was recently held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, has released a seven-point communiqué which declares that democracy is a process that grinds slowly and urges citizens to be patient and support democratic institutions to deliver.
The communiqué signed by Hassan Saliu, and three others notes that there is need for a continuous dialogue between leaders and citizens to deepen democratic tenants in Nigeria.
Others who signed the communiqué are Adebayo Olukoshi, Okey Ibeanu and Tunde Babawale, which also maintains that a strong system of leadership selection and training should be established at all levels and aspects of governance to support democratic culture.
It equally states that the judiciary should be more available to all citizens based on equal opportunity and equal access to redress.
“Continuous and progressive electoral reforms that should promote the reasonable application of technology and insulation of Electoral Management Agencies from political interference should be guaranteed in our electoral legal framework.
“Special support and incentives should be provided to young people, women and persons with disability to increase their participation in the political process”, it notes.
It further upholds that the socio-economic underpinnings of insecurity must be addressed in order to prevent the erosion of democracy.
The Port Harcourt International Conference had in attendance Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as well as Former Governors of Rivers State and Ekiti State, academicians, politicians and other stakeholders.
It was held from January 25 -28th, 2023 at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre.
