Abuja: President of Ghana, John Mahama, Nigeria’s Vice-President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, along with other African leaders and democracy advocates, are expected to attend the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) 2026 ‘democracy dialogue’ in Bauchi State. GJF Media Officer, Mr. Wealth Ominabo, announced this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ominabo also listed former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Sierra Leonean President, Dr. Ernest Koroma, as part of the dignitaries expected at the programme. The dialogue, themed ‘Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?’, is scheduled for August 11 at the International Conference Centre in Bauchi.
Ominabo detailed that the 2026 edition of the GJF flagship democracy dialogue will explore the role of political parties and the judiciary in safeguarding democracy across Africa, focusing on the institutions that sustain democracy beyond the electoral process. He highlighted the choice of Bauchi State, the home of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister, as the venue, noting its historic significance in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
Obasanjo is set to chair the dialogue, with Mahama serving as the special guest of honour and Shettima as guest of honour. The Chairman and Founder of GJF, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, alongside Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, will host the event. The keynote address will be delivered by Prof. Karuti Kanyinga, a Board Member of the African Leadership Centre at King’s College London.
Dr. Rilwanu Adamu, the Emir of Bauchi and Chairman of the Bauchi State Council of Emirs and Traditional Rulers, will be the Royal Father of the Day. Other distinguished participants include former Supreme Court Justice, Amina Augie, and Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of Ghana, Johnson Nketia.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Ms. Ann Iyonu, emphasized the significance of the theme, noting that political parties and the judiciary across the continent face challenges in fulfilling their roles as pillars of democratic governance. She stated that the dialogue aims to renew these critical institutions to strengthen democratic resilience, protect constitutional order, and restore citizens’ confidence in governance.
Iyonu mentioned that a major highlight of this year’s dialogue would be a fireside chat featuring political leaders and senior jurists who have navigated the complexities of governance, democratic transitions, and constitutional leadership. The interactive session is expected to generate practical insights through candid conversations between experienced statesmen, young leaders, scholars, and civic actors.
She explained that the GJF Democracy Dialogue is designed as a platform for consensus-building, policy engagement, and knowledge exchange, seeking to foster practical solutions for strengthening democracy across the continent. It brings together former African leaders, managers of democratic transitions, defenders of constitutional institutions, alongside serving leaders and citizens.
Iyonu conveyed the vision of the dialogue, reflecting former President Goodluck Jonathan’s enduring belief that democracy is a communal asset that requires collective action and consensus-building to safeguard. The foundation believes that Africa’s democratic renewal will be driven by credible elections, strong institutions, active citizenship, and sustained dialogue promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance.