By Jonathan Lois
A member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Hon. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, has urged political leaders and institutions worldwide to prioritise dialogue as the foundation for defending truth and sustaining democratic governance.
Onuakalusi made the call while presenting a paper titled Defending Truth in Public Debate: Building Spaces for Dialogue at the VII Transatlantic Summit convened by the Political Network for Values, a forum that brought together lawmakers and policy actors from multiple regions, including members of the European Parliament.
Addressing the gathering, the lawmaker described truth in public discourse as essential to democratic growth, warning that censorship, misinformation, and polarised political communication are weakening trust between citizens and institutions across continents.
He said the defence of truth is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a democratic necessity, stressing that dialogue remains the most effective instrument for achieving the peace and consensus that truth is meant to produce.
According to him, disagreements in public life often arise from differences in cultural and contextual understanding, making structured dialogue indispensable for resolving conflict and preventing democratic breakdown.
He illustrated this complexity with a simple communication example, noting that even accurate statements can produce misunderstanding when context is ignored, a reality he said mirrors the divisions shaping modern political discourse.
Onuakalusi expressed concern about what he described as an era of “loud voices and shrinking understanding,” where social media amplifies opinion faster than fact and outrage increasingly replaces reasoned debate. Citing global democratic trends, he noted that declining trust in institutions and electoral participation reflects a broader erosion of confidence in governance systems.
Using Nigeria as a case study, the lawmaker pointed to low voter turnout in the 2023 general elections, arguing that declining participation signals deepening public distrust rather than simple apathy. He attributed the trend to misinformation, identity-driven politics, and unfulfilled political promises that weaken citizen engagement.
He also referenced recent political tensions in Rivers State as an example of how democratic institutions can falter when dialogue collapses. According to him, institutional silence, competing narratives, and confrontational politics contributed to legislative paralysis and public uncertainty, ultimately eroding civic trust.
Onuakalusi highlighted Nigeria’s legal frameworks supporting responsible public discourse, including constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression, electoral laws addressing misinformation, digital regulations, and transparency provisions that empower citizens to demand accountability.
He argued that regulation itself does not threaten democracy, but its misuse can silence legitimate voices and distort public debate.
The lawmaker further outlined the democratic purpose of public discourse, stating that its role is to foster understanding, encourage participation, and shape policy through persuasion rather than intimidation. He maintained that consensus built through dialogue remains democracy’s strongest defence against instability.
In a strong appeal to political leaders, he urged parliamentarians globally to model fact-based communication, strengthen institutional oversight, invest in civic education, and ensure the protection of journalists and whistleblowers whose work sustains transparency in governance.
Turning to Nigeria’s internal security challenges, Onuakalusi condemned the persistent killings of citizens in parts of the country, describing the violence as a grave assault on democratic values and human dignity. He called on all levels of government to prioritise the protection of lives and property, emphasising the need for justice, accountability, and sustained engagement with affected communities.
He warned that peace cannot be achieved through force alone but must be built through trust, inclusion, and responsive governance.
The lawmaker also advocated for a stronger global commitment to dialogue as a peace-building mechanism, suggesting that the United Nations should elevate structured dialogue as a primary instrument for resolving international tensions.
Despite acknowledging ongoing governance challenges, Onuakalusi expressed optimism about Nigeria’s democratic trajectory after 26 years of constitutional rule. He invited global partners to invest in the country, citing its youth population, expanding economic opportunities, and evolving regulatory environment as indicators of long-term growth potential.
He concluded that democracy’s survival depends on the willingness of leaders and citizens alike to defend truth through engagement rather than confrontation.
