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This roundtable is on the platform of the cooperation between the media and CSOs which started in 2014. On this very roundtable, the participants commented on the idea why democracy needs democrats, what is democracy, and who is a democrat.

The roundtable started with Mrs. Hildegard Behrendt-Kigozi, the KAS country representative, giving an introduction to the topic, she cautioned that though many people and many nations are having democracy and are identifying with it, do they really understand or practice the principles of democracy the right way? Do these countries really know that democracy needs to be protected, not only by the state, by the citizens as well? Good leaders in any democracy should strive to protect their countries, the citizens, and put these citizens first, even above their own personal benefits. They should promote and uphold the rule of law, because you may be elected freely and fairly in an election, and throw the rule of law into the wind after getting into office, which will undermine the democratic process that brought you into power. She pointed out that democracy is only relevant as long as the citizens participate in it. She sounded a note of warning that every democratic nation, with the help of the citizens, should be wary of politicians who pretend to be democrats, as these would undermine the advances democracy has made. The best way to do this is by giving civic education to the citizens, young and old, as long as they are stakeholders in the political process. The media, which is non-partisan, can help by not getting corrupt and by carrying the civic education to everybody.

One of the participants, Mr. Sani Aliyu, the director of Rights and Democracy Volunteers, established the linkage between a democrat and patriotism. A democrat is a patriot, who recognizes the essence of having opposition in government. He advocated for more civic education for all Nigerians. Mr. Ubale Musa raised a point that Nigerians should not think democracy is the responsibility of only the leaders, all citizens are stakeholders in democracy, and should be ready to take the responsibility up.

Ms. Evelyn Ugbe, from Women Environmental Programme (WEP), advised everybody to take ownership of democracy, and demand accountability from our leaders, because democracy is more than just the right to vote and be voted for, just as the freedom of speech does not guarantee you make provocative statements. To increase the number of true democrats, she suggested more civic education, just as others before her had done. Ms. Grace Ekpo, from WAZOBIA FM, in her own submission on the subject also concluded that more civic education is needed in Nigeria.

Ms. Chika Okeke is of the opinion that only democrats can sustain democracy, a position that Ms. Kate Obande expanded on by saying, not only democracy needs democrats, democrats also need democracy to function. Mr. Lewis Asubiojo thinks that for democrats and democracy to function well, a suitable environment is needed. An environment where leaders lead by example will create more democrats in the society.

On her part, Mrs. Francesca Edeghere, first highlighted the basic principles of democracy and asked whether our leaders are holding power in trust. She suggests reduction in the salaries of the political office holders, to dissuade politicians who are after money, and promote only the true democrats into power. She advised that more town hall meetings be conducted to bring the politicians in more contact with their electorates.

Prince Herbert, from West Africa Network of Election Observers (WANEO), pointed out that political ideologies are not what changes at will. Democrats in America grow and die with the ideology, so he wished Nigerian politicians reduce the rate at which they jump from one political party to the other, whereas Mr. George Monyei, from Majesty Community and Rural Development Foundation, suggested the legislature be strengthened, as this will empower more democrats in our society and act as checks and balances on the executive. He went further to advice the political parties to incorporate internal democracy in the affairs of their parties, so that only politicians who have the interest of the people emerge from their primaries.

Ms. Edith Nnaji pointed out that there was a disconnect in the civic education, and this needs improvement. She raised the point that if many politicians, including the citizens, do not believe in democratic principles, and how could these become the democrats we are looking for? Mr. Taiye Agbaje gave the advice that a strengthened judiciary will go a long way in grooming the democrats needed in this nation, as the principles of democracy will be upheld by court judgments, and the citizens will learn from these.