Blog Archives - Center for Democracy & Development

Amnesties In Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities

by adminBlog October 16, 2021October 18, 2021No Comments

The use of amnesties for achieving peace and reconciliation in contexts of conflict is frequently controversial. For opponents, a central objection is that the application of amnesties is in conflict with human rights principles, which emphasise justice for the victims of conflict-based violence. By granting amnesty to perpetrators, opponents argue, victims are denied the opportunity …

Internet Shutdowns Threaten the Functioning of Democracy in Africa

by adminBlog June 11, 2021Comments are Disabled

That the presidential election which took place in the Republic of Congo on 21 March 2021 would re-elect Denis Sassou Nguesso was a given. Less certain was whether access to the internet, in particular access to social media, would be interrupted on election day, and in the days that followed as it was in 2016. …

How Youth Can Reshape Political Participation in Nigeria

by adminBlog, Publication, Publications April 21, 2021Comments are Disabled

By Chris Olaoluwa Ògúnmọ́dẹdé Can Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests evolve into a force that can restructure electoral politics? Or will the protests, which culminated with the state opening fire on its own citizens in Lagos, simply become a dramatic, but ineffective interlude, to the status quo? If recent electoral contests held in Lagos, Imo, Bayelsa, Plateau …

Insecurity and Covid-19: Threats to Electoral Democracy in Africa

by adminBlog April 12, 2021Comments are Disabled

By Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim More than 13 African countries are scheduled to hold or have already held, parliamentary or presidential elections in 2021. Reflective of the democratic backsliding observed on the continent in recent years, more than a third of these polls are likely to be little more than political theatre – aimed at garnering …

How tenure elongation and a lack of term limits weaken the integrity of elections in Africa

by adminBlog, Publication, Publications March 23, 2021Comments are Disabled

By Ayisha Osori Until the late 1980s, Liberia’s constitution was the only one in Africa to provide clarity for presidential term limits. Without these limits, political succession was a major source of instability on the continent, with many countries dominated by a single leader who insisted on his – and it was always him – …

Crafting Credible Election Commissions in West Africa

by adminBlog, Publication, Publications March 10, 2021Comments are Disabled

By Professor L. Adele Jinadu The crass and partisan manipulation of African electoral management bodies (EMBs) was a central feature of the legacy of abuse that successor regimes to colonial rule in Africa inherited and perpetuated. Embedded in partisan politics through “outright control” by successor regimes, EMBs became “ineffectual mechanisms for democratically managing diversity”. To …

It is time to start taking West Africa’s legislative contests more seriously

by adminBlog February 25, 2021Comments are Disabled

By Kojo Asante Parliamentary elections were scheduled in as many as 16 African countries in 2020 but due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic four of these polls were postponed. In 2021, a further ten countries are scheduled to hold legislative votes. Despite the frequency of these elections, rarely do they attract significant …

The Futility of Elections: Rethinking Democracy in East Africa

by adminBlog February 17, 2021Comments are Disabled

By Su Muhereza and Eshban Kwesiga Despite their frequency and venerated place in the functioning of democracies, elections in East Africa are increasingly violent, plagued by coercion and widespread irregularities and tend to exacerbate existing socio-political tensions without resulting in meaningful political change, improved quality of governance or citizen participation. Recent polls in Rwanda, the …

CDD, Others Call on Politicians, Clerics to Join in Combating Fake News

by adminBlog, News September 25, 2020Comments are Disabled

The Centre for Democracy and Development on Tuesday, September 15, has urged politicians, religious leaders, and social media influencers to join hands curbing the spread of disinformation and misinformation in the ecosystem. Speaking at a webinar themed; “Addressing Mis and Disinformation in Northern Nigeria”, the moderator of the event, Hamza Ibrahim, said it is important …

New Allegiances, Familiar Faces A Preview of Edo’s 2020 Gubernatorial Election

by adminBlog, Publicaitons, Uncategorized August 19, 2020No Comments

As Edo State voters prepare to head to the polls for the 19 September gubernatorial election, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) is closely monitoring the democratic process. CDD’s observation of the electoral process in Edo State, which is also informed by the guidelines of Nigeria’s electoral regulatory body, the Independent National Electoral Commission …

Engage in issue-based campaigns, not violent activities – CDD to politicians

by adminBlog, Press Release August 10, 2020No Comments

Ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Edo state, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has urged political parties to engage in issue-based campaigns. The Centre also urged the political parties to shun activities which may potentially incite violence among members and opponents alike. In a communique released by the CDD on Friday, August …

Kogi State: Post-Election Analysis of Disinformation

by adminBlog, Publicaitons August 5, 2020No Comments

The Kogi state off-cycle elections were conducted on 16th November 2019. Twenty-four political parties participated in the election, but there were three frontrunners: Musa Wada of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Yahaya Bello of All People’s Congress (APC), and Natasha Akpoti of Social Democratic Party (SDP). Given the trend of disinformation in previous elections held in …

Transitional Justice Initiative in North-East Nigeria (A Training Manual)

by adminBlog, Publicaitons August 5, 2020No Comments

Restoring peace and rebuilding the communities ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency must include a justice component. When legitimate grievances are not redressed timely, justly, and fairly, then impunity and injustice can become formidable obstacles to restoring peace and rebuilding communities. In fact, unaddressed grievances have been identified as one of the major push factors …

Les OSC d'Afrique de l'Ouest demandent à la CEDEAO de prioriser son processus d'intervention au Mali

by adminBlog, Uncategorized July 13, 2020No Comments

Abuja 13 Juillet 2020 Les OSC d’Afrique de l’Ouest demandent à la CEDEAO de prioriser son processus d’intervention au Mali Etant donné la crise en cours au Mali, les organisations de la société civile en Afrique de l’Ouest ont, le lundi 13 juillet 2020, appelé la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO) …

Shin Kanfanonin Apple da Google Sun Samar Manhajar Da Zata Bi Diddigin Cutar Corona a Asirce a Wayoyin Mutane?

by adminBlog, Fact Check, Uncategorized July 9, 2020No Comments

Tantancewar CDD: Labari ne na bogi! Tushen Magana: Mutane da yawa a Najeriya dake anfani da manyan wayoyi suna ta bayyana shakku da cece-kuce dangane wata magana dake yawo cewa daya daga cikin kanfanonin nan guda biyu, wato Apple ko Google ya jefa wata manhaja da zata rika bin diddigin bayanan da suka shafi cutar …

Our Analysis For This Week, July 4, 2020

by adminBlog, Publication, Uncategorized July 7, 2020No Comments

Economy Declining demand for oilfield services poses a threat to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry Global demand for Oilfields Services (OFS) has been on a steady decline, and this has continuously challenged the oil industry in Nigeria. Oil represents over 80% of Nigeria’s exports, 30% of its banking-sector credit, and 50% of overall government revenue. …

Fake News Website Developer – Call for Application

by adminBlog, General June 27, 2020No Comments

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) is seeking applications for a website developer for Centre’s Countering Disinformation and Misinformation project (Fake News website). The website developer will be involved in creating an internet-based platform to upscale the education and enlightenment of the general public on the need to fight the spread of disinformation referred …

WhatsApp and Everyday Life in West Africa – Call for Contributors

by adminBlog, General, latest June 16, 2020No Comments

We are looking for contributions for an edited book volume tentatively titled, ‘WhatsApp and Everyday Life in West Africa’. The edited volume aims to cover a range of topics from politics, misinformation and elections; to how WhatsApp is used for healthcare, by businesses and as a source of news; to how it can facilitate love, …