As the global community marks the United Nations International Day of Democracy, the Katamaran Deck of the National Association of Seadogs, popularly called Pyrates Confraternity, joins the world to advocate for a deeper, more inclusive democratic culture in Nigeria.
Celebrating the day under the resonant global theme, “Raising Hands and Voices: Fostering Agency and Ownership Through Deliberative Democracy,” the Katamaran Deck comprising Ijebu-Ode and Remo, called on citizens and leaders alike to transition from mere periodic voting to a sustained culture of active, deliberative civic engagement.
According to a statement signed by the Cap’n of the Katamaran Deck, Comrade Jamal Apena, Nigeria’s democratic journey, while resilient, stands at a critical crossroads.
He said for too long, the expression of democracy within the nation had been disproportionately reduced to the ballot box, leaving a vacuum of disengagement between elections.
The Katamaran Deck Pyrates asserted that true democracy thrived only when citizens possessed genuine agency—the power to influence policy—and a profound sense of ownership over their governance architectures.
Reflecting further on the state of the nation, the Katamaran Deck Cap’n stated, “We cannot sustain a democracy where the citizen’s only role is to cast a ballot every four years and retreat into silence. True democracy demands that the hands raised to vote remain raised to hold leaders accountable, and the voices used to campaign remain active in shaping public policy.
“Deliberative democracy is about shifting power back to the people, ensuring that governance is done with them, not just for them.”
It further stated that deliberative democracy offered a vital remedy to Nigeria’s current political apathy and systemic governance deficits, adding, “It demands the creation of safe, structured, and institutionalised spaces where diverse citizens can raise their hands to participate and project their voices in reasoned, public debates.
“By fostering open dialogue across ethnic, religious, and socio-economic divides, Nigeria can build a consensus-driven political environment that reflects the true aspirations of its people, rather than the narrow interests of a political elite.”
The Katamaran Deck emphasised that fostering ownership required breaking down the barriers that shut citizens out of the decision-making process.
The Katamaran Deck Cap’n further noted, “When Nigerians see their inputs directly shaping local government budgets and national legislative frameworks, their stakes in the survival of our republic multiply. By bringing the citizens into the decision-making room, we transform passive observers into active custodians of our collective destiny, safeguarding our institutions against corruption and manipulation.”
The deck further called on the Nigerian government at all levels to intentionally integrate deliberative mechanisms into governance, including institutionalising town hall consultations, protecting digital civic spaces, and respecting the freedom of speech and assembly.
The statement added, “Furthermore, the association urges civil society organisations, community leaders, and the media to continuously empower citizens with the civic education necessary to engage constructively and hold public officials accountable.
“Democracy is not a static destination; it is a continuous, evolving process of collective participation. The National Association of Seadogs remains unyielding in its commitment to advocacy, social justice, and human rights. We call on every Nigerian today to raise their hands in solidarity and lift their voices in purpose. Together, we must claim ownership of our democratic future and build a more equitable, transparent, and responsive nation.”
