Politics

Citizens’ Participation In A Democratic Government (lll)

Published

10 years ago

August 29, 2016

The second part of this trilogy was published on Monday, August 22, 2016.

The operative word there
is “sustained” because it is possible to relapse from being a citizen to being a subject. Our experience in Nigeria and in Africa generally demonstrates this only too well. Through intensive political education and mobilization, the nationalist parties had rekindled the citizenship in the people which first manifested in their resistance to colonialism. But especially with the many years of military dictatorship, the people slipped back. Of course the people do come out to vote but this is only a perfunctory duty to fulfill all righteousness. The political parties have been only too comfortable to have the people return to the status of subjects. And this is because these politicians now behave like the colonial masters of our nightmares. Here we can paraphrase the late Claude Ake in lamenting that in Nigeria and Africa generally, we have democracies without citizens. That is, the people are not conscious of the tension that should be the hallmark of the democratic space.
Even among the political elite, we have only “half citizens”, people who, no sooner than they are voted into power, lose their political freedom to the god-father. Thenceforth they make no effort to take the interest of the people seriously. We seem to lament this when we recognize Governors who must do the bidding of the god-father, perhaps the same person who they succeeded. The matter is worsened when these governors themselves play god-father to the members of the state assemblies where the matter that concerns them most are not those of the people of the god-father and themselves. Otherwise why would an Assembly provide retirement benefits for a man who held office for at most eight years but pay little heed to the pension of thousands of men and women who served all their working lives? The budget padding crisis currently playing out at the National Assembly is possible only in a democracy where the people are treated as subjects by their so-called representatives.
So, to participate in a democracy the people must first be citizens. But this is not enough, as we can see from the history of the older democracies where I believe most of the people are active citizens. It is just as important that the citizen is well-informed through being aware of developments in his or her environment. If this is to be helpful, the citizen must review any information from critical perspectives: subjecting information to objective scrutiny, reviewing and weighing what is received until one is satisfied with its veracity or otherwise, it means that the citizens should not be gullible. She must recognize that the purveyors of all political information usually (and legitimately) want to advance a particular agenda. It is up to each citizen to satisfy herself that the agenda advances her own welfare as well.
This critical disposition in participation is especially important for marginalized groups in the community, women and minorities. They must be aware that their domination and marginalization can easily be clothed in legal and democratic garbs. Without a critical disposition that asks questions and demands answer, they may end up being complicit in their domination. If they were more critically disposed they could see when the wool is being pulled over their eyes. In Nigeria, voters often go to the polls uncritically , they are governed more by sentiments than by hard facts. They tend to accept or reject parties, policies or persons based mainly on their primordial links. It only serves the politician who exploits those sentiments. These sentiments too shield government and politicians from being held to account; the people tend to shield the politician who is from their circle of ethnicity or religion. Such participation is most unhelpful in a democracy. Indeed, it makes the people complicit in their domination.
It is of course the case that in all democracies the state and capital have worked hand in glove to dominate the majority of the people that they should serve. What makes the difference in some entities is the fact that now and then a group or individuals rouse the people to remain active as citizens. The older democracies seem-but only seem? – to work better because of the existence of many civil society groups (think thanks and critical academics, faith-based groups that take interest in the political wellbeing of their members, pressure and interest groups and coalitions) that serve as the conscience and voice of the people. Otherwise those same people would lapse into being at best half-citizens such as we have in these parts.
Being critical of the information available to him means that the citizen should also be aware that even the media conveying that information is not always neutral. Studies abound to show that in the United States, for instance, the media are biased in favour of the state and capital. The citizens must be able to filter these media because they provide the oppressors the avenue for creating the generally false impression that interests of all segments of society align with those of the rich and powerful. In the event, the tendency has been for some people to think that social media provides the solution to the shenanigans of the traditional media. This is false, in my view. Social media has become a sort of echo chamber and susceptible to carrying falsehood an outright misinformation. It is not as progressive a its admirers would like one to believe. It should also be treated with circumspection.
Being critical participants in a democracy is getting increasingly difficult because of the tons of information that each citizens must process in a day. Therefore it helps if the citizen concentrates on those sectors most critical for his or her welfare or issues that rouse the passion.
To summarise, I believe we can see from the foregoing that when the people are able to truly see themselves as citizens, their participation in democratic government will be all the more fruitful and fulfilling. But this is also easier said than done, what with all the pressures of daily life. We realize, however, that every effort should be made to encourage critical perspectives in participation; otherwise the people become pawns in the hands of the state and its agents.
Because we do not truly participate in this country, we have state and national assemblies that represent only themselves and not the people and we do not give them the opportunity to earn the bogus titles of being honourable and distinguished.
What has been said here implies that the civil society groups have an urgent task of helping to give the people political education, such that we being the process of returning them to their rightful citizen status. This something which the parties have failed woefully to do. In any case it may not be in their interest to do so. Unfortunately, many of the civil society groups have fallen for the mess of pottage. Just how bad the situation is could be gleaned from what happened in the dying days of the last state government and the early days of the current government. Many civil society groups in the state became so partisan that they added to the confusion in the people’s minds. Those who should help citizen participation failed.
One of the most critical organs that could help bring political education to the people and thus add value to their participation in our democracy is I believe, the National Orientation Agency (NOA). Of course it is somewhat handicapped because it is an arm of the state and therefore can only be limited in its effect. But it has not, in my view, recognized its proper role. I mentioned earlier that for democracy to be meaningful the citizens must acquire its ethics. The NOA is in a unique position to help the people of this country acquire deep democratic culture. It is to be hoped that the imagination required for this can be found in the agency.
Finally, it is also very necessary that academics like me should engage in more research on issues that affect our common interest because we want Nigeria to succeed and be the democratic powerhouse of the black man and the African continent. Like the politicians, we have not done well in representing the cause of the people, what remains of our progressive or radical streak has been weakened. This is where the Claude Ake School of Government, the NOA and civil society groups can make common cause to improve the quality of Nigerian citizens’ participation in their democratic government. For instance, we can collaborate to help student unions which comprise a base for leadership recruitment and has wide social reach, to improve their knowledge of democracy and its culture. As all who know him will recall, the late Professor Claude Ake placed his awesome intellectual capability at the disposal of the African people, speaking and writing on their plight and their engagement with development and democracy. This is the legacy that energises the Claude Ake School of Government and gives meaning to its mission.
I sincerely thank the NOA for giving me the privilege of this opportunity to share ideas with you.
Concluded.
Prof Ekekwe, Executive Director, Claude Ake School of Government, UNIPORT, delivered this paper, at a forum organised by the National Orientation Agency in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Eme Ekekwe

Politics

Senate Urges Tinubu To Sack CAC Boss

Published

3 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

The Senate yesterday urged President Bola Tinubu to remove the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Hussaini Magaji, over what lawmakers described as a persistent refusal to appear before its Committee on Finance.

The resolution followed a motion raised by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu during a session where members of the President’s economic team were present for engagement with the committee.

Tension rose at the commencement of the meeting when agency heads were introduced and senators observed the absence of the CAC Registrar-General, who had been invited to account for the commission’s activities, particularly on revenue matters.

Moving the motion, Kalu expressed anger over what he termed repeated disregard for legislative oversight, accusing the CAC boss of consistently avoiding invitations to appear before the committee.

He said, “Since I came to the Senate, this CAC man has always given excuses that he is in the Villa or going to London. He is not above the law. This man is not coming to the Senate. Look at the ministers of finance and budget. They are both here. We summoned them and they came.

“But this man thinks he’s bigger than the Senate. We’re not going to take that rubbish again. He had refused on so many occasions to honour our invitation to appear before this committee. We have issues with the reconciliation of the revenue of CAC.

“I move a motion that the man should be reported to Mr President and ask for immediate removal because we cannot continue with him. Is that what we’re doing here? He should come and give us an account of what he had done.”

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, corroborated the concerns, pointing to unresolved discrepancies in the reconciliation of the commission’s revenues.

He noted that despite several invitations, the registrar-general had failed to show up to address the issues raised by senators.

“The registrar-general of the Corporate Affairs Commission has refused on so many occasions to honour the calls, invitations or summons of this most important committee.

“There are only about three committees that are in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Committee of Finance is one of those committees. Sections 88, and 89 have given us these powers.

“And as registrar-general, we have issues with the reconciliation of their revenue. Anytime he is invited, he will give us one reason or another, and he will send junior officers to come and talk to the Senate. That cannot be accepted,” he said.

In a further show of frustration, Senator Adams Oshiomhole proposed that the Senate escalate the matter by withholding approval of the CAC’s 2026 budget pending the registrar-general’s personal appearance before the committee.

Oshiomhole also suggested that the commission be restrained from spending its internally generated revenue without prior approval of the national assembly.

“This senate should decline to appropriate anything in the 2026 budget until we are satisfied that he has accounted for previous money and spending properly.

“And should he spend money that is not appropriated, he should be heading to Kuje prison,” Oshiomhole said.

The motion urging the President to remove the CAC Registrar-General was subsequently put to a voice vote and adopted.

The development underscores renewed assertiveness by the Senate in exercising its constitutional oversight functions, particularly over revenue-generating agencies.

The Corporate Affairs Commission, which regulates companies and business registrations in Nigeria, is a key contributor to non-oil revenue, making accountability and transparency central to its operations.

News

Amend Constitution To Accommodate State Police, Tinubu Tells Senators

Published

3 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the leadership of the 10th Senate to amend the constitution to provide a legal framework for the establishment of State Police to tackle insecurity nationwide.

President Tinubu made the appeal during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

The president said that the creation of State Police has become urgent to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, strengthen grassroots policing, and enhance states’ capacity to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions.

He noted that a decentralised policing structure would complement existing federal security architecture and promote intelligence-led, community-focused law enforcement.

“We are facing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. But we will never fail to make a right response to this cause. What I will ask for tonight is for you (Senators) to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the State Police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear,” he said.

The president commended the cordial relationship between the Executive and the Senate, saying that unity is needed to defeat terrorism and banditry in the country.

“It is a good thing that we are working in harmony, we are looking forward to a country that evolves, a country that takes care of its citizens and protects all.

Tinubu thanked the Senate for its unflinching support towards achieving various economic reforms of his administration, especially the fuel subsidy removal and tax reform policy.

“I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration and inspiration, those reforms would not be possible. We are reformists together. What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in the subsidy system. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption and arbitrage foreign exchange.

You don’t have to chase me for dollars; you could see what Nigeria is today. You should be proud, and I am glad you are. What we are enjoying is a stable economy, and prosperity is beckoning us. We need to work hard, and this attendance means a lot to me,” the president said.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the president for hosting the leadership of the Senate to the Interfaith breaking of fast.

He commended President Tinubu for providing the visionary leadership the nation needs at this critical time, stating that the administration’s bold reforms have now brought more revenue to governors at the sub-national level for the development of critical infrastructure.

The Senate President prayed for the administration, and for the nation’s peace and prosperity.

Politics

FCT COUNCILS’ ELECTIONS: PDP WINS GWAGWALADA CHAIRMANSHIP AS APC SECURES AMAC, BWARI

Published

7 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

Alhaji Mohammed Kasim, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has won the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Philip Akpeni, the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the results on Sunday morning.

Alhaji Kasim polled 22,165 votes to defeat Alhaji Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 17,788 votes.

Alhaji Biko Umar of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 1, 687 to come in third place.

“I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Gwagwalada chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026,” Akpeni said.

“That Mohammed Kasim of PDP, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”

In the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, the APC candidate, was declared the winner of the chairmanship poll with 40,295 votes.

Andrew Abue, the Collation Officer for AMAC, said Hon. Maikalangu, who is the incumbent AMAC chairman, was returned elected having scored the highest number of votes cast.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) came second with 12,109 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 3,398 votes.

According to Abue, the total number of valid votes in the chairmanship poll was 62,861, while the total votes cast stood at 65,197.

He added that the number of registered voters in AMAC was 837,338, while the total number of accredited voters was 65,676.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mr. Joshua Ishaku of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Bwari Area Council Chairmanship election.

Announcing the result on Sunday in Bwari, the Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Mohammed Nurudeen, stated that Ishaku polled a total of 18,466 votes to emerge victorious in the February 21, 2026 poll.

“I am the Returning Officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Bwari chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026. That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Nurudeen said.

According to the results declared, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 4,254 votes, while the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) polled 3,515 votes to place second and third respectively.

The declaration adds to the series of results emerging from the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, as political parties assess their performance ahead of future contests.

INEC UPLOADS 2,602 OF 2,822 FCT CHAIRMANSHIP RESULTS ON IReV

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had uploaded 2,602 out of the 2,822 expected polling unit results from Saturday’s chairmanship elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as at 5:55am on Sunday, data retrieved from its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) showed.

According to The Tide source, the figure represents an overall upload rate of about 92.2 per cent across the six area councils of the territory.

A council-by-council breakdown indicates that Municipal Area Council recorded the highest number of submissions in absolute terms, with 1,309 of 1,401 polling unit results uploaded, representing 93.43 per cent.

In Gwagwalada Area Council, 330 of the expected 338 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 97.63 per cent — the highest upload rate among the six councils.

In Bwari Area Council, INEC uploaded 463 of 485 polling unit results, translating to 95.46 per cent.

In Abaji Area Council, 129 of 135 polling unit results had been uploaded as at 5:55am, representing 95.56 per cent.

In Kwali Area Council, 164 of the expected 201 polling unit results were available on the portal, representing 81.59 per cent.

In Kuje Area Council, 207 of 262 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 79.01 per cent — the lowest rate among the six councils as at the time of review.