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 Defends Passage Of State Police Bill

Published

2 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Senate has defended the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, saying the proposed creation of state police is driven by national consensus and the country’s security needs rather than political considerations.

The Red Chamber passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele described the bill as “a child of necessity and not of political expediency as well as a product of national consensus and not of cynicism.”

The senate leader said the proposal to establish state police was a matter of urgent public importance that could not be delayed because of political interests, given the country’s security challenges.

He explained that the proposal did not originate recently but emerged from memoranda submitted to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

According to him, the proposal underwent extensive consultations and rigorous scrutiny because of its sensitive nature.

Bamidele said the National Assembly consulted widely with the Executive, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, the leadership of the Nigeria Police and other stakeholders before passing the bill.

He added that during the public hearings conducted across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025, participants overwhelmingly supported the creation of state police.

“At each level of our consultation, nearly all stakeholders embraced the State Police Bill in the light of stark realities we are facing today,” he said.

The Senate leader noted that recommendations from the Nigeria Police contributed to the bill, particularly on accountability and oversight mechanisms aimed at preventing abuse of state police by political actors.

According to him, the police’s support for the proposal underscores its national significance in tackling insecurity at the state and local levels.

Bamidele also said the bill received broad bipartisan backing in both chambers of the National Assembly.

“Even though the APC is the majority, there are members of opposition parties — PDP, ADC, NDC and Labour Party — that exercised their discretion in favour of the Bill, mainly in the national interest and not on parochial basis.

“In the Senate, for instance, 84 out of 109 members voted clause by clause in support of the Bill. This accounted for 77.06 per cent approval at the Senate alone,” he said.

He argued that national security should transcend political affiliations, saying political actors in other countries often set aside partisan interests to support initiatives that strengthen security.

Bamidele called on opposition parties to contribute constructive ideas that would promote peace and stability, adding that they have a responsibility to offer alternatives that would strengthen the country.

“Even when they disagree on some grounds, they are under obligations to provide credible and useful ideas that can make our nation better and greater. Unfortunately, they have not passed this critical test of opposition democracy,” he said.

News

Probe N6.3bn Constituency Funds Or Face Legal Action, SERAP Tells Akpabio, Abbas

Published

2 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to refer allegations of the diversion or non-accounting of over ?6.3 billion in constituency project funds to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

The group also urged the National Assembly leadership to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted where sufficient admissible evidence exists, while all diverted or unaccounted public funds are recovered and paid into the treasury.

In a letter dated June 27, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the allegations were contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 Annual Report, published on September 9, 2025.

The organisation disclosed this in a statement signed and released by Oluwadare, yesterday.

SERAP also asked Akpabio and Abbas to disclose the identities of contractors and companies, including their shareholders and beneficial owners, that allegedly received constituency project funds but failed to execute the projects.

It gave the National Assembly seven days to act on its recommendations, warning that it would institute legal proceedings should the legislature fail to respond.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter stated.

It said, “The allegations involve several federal ministries, departments and agencies, including the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON); the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Volm; the Federal Polytechnic, Udana; the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP); and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

“The Auditor-General identified numerous cases of payments into private bank accounts, contracts awarded without due process, payments for contracts not executed or services not rendered, undocumented expenditures, inflated contracts, procurement irregularities and failures to account for public funds, recommending in each case that the funds be recovered and remitted to the treasury.

“According to the 2022 audited report, contained in pages 367 to 396, the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON or Council) Abuja paid over ‘N22 million [N22,944,565.16] into the private account of some members of staff of the Council from the Constituency Projects Fund Account.

“There ‘was no evidence of the utilization of the funds and no explanations on the purpose for the payment of such amount into the individual accounts.”

SERAP added, “The Council (EHORECON) also in 2021 ‘awarded suspicious consultancy contracts of over N12 million [N12,030,818.29] for the development of Modern Abattoirs in Kebbi State and the supervision of 7 projects in Kebbi, Jigawa, and Headquarters Abuja.

“The money was to ‘produce bills of quantity, architectural design, structural design, mechanical design, and electrical designs for the contracts and supervision.’ But ‘the ‘items could not be found.’”

Altogether, SERAP said the Auditor-General’s 2022 report alleged EHORECON paid more than ?1.8 billion in constituency project funds through questionable transactions.

For the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, SERAP said the institution “in 2022 reportedly ‘paid over N279 million [N279,700,500.00] to 3 contractors to empower and train youths in selected vocational areas in Borgu and Kontagora, Niger State, train women and youths in entrepreneurship in Niger East Senatorial District and to train youths and women in agro production and self-reliance in Barki Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, Plateau State.

“But the money was paid to the contractors without any document.’”

Other irregularities involving the college include another ?279.7 million in mobilisation fees allegedly paid without documentation, and more than ?629.4 million paid to unqualified contractors for various constituency projects without evidence of due process, contract advertisements or details of the contractors.

SERAP further alleged that the Auditor-General’s report identified multiple financial irregularities involving the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, including over ?407 million allegedly paid as mobilisation fees without supporting documents, more than ?399 million paid to unqualified contractors, contracts allegedly inflated by over ?192 million, over ?279 million paid for projects not fully executed, ?50 million allegedly paid for an unexecuted borehole project, and more than ?83 million disbursed without the required documentation or approvals.

It also alleged that NAPTIP reportedly irregularly awarded contracts worth over ?21.8 million, paid more than ?176.8 million for logistics and consultancy services without supporting documents, and disbursed over ?89.6 million and ?4.4 million for projects that were allegedly not executed.

The report also alleged that NILDS failed to submit audited financial statements for 2012 to 2022, did not remit over ?15 million in stamp duties, and spent ?1.6 million without authorisation from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

SERAP said the report recommended the recovery of the affected funds and their remittance to the treasury.

It argued that corruption in constituency projects disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable Nigerians by diverting resources meant for public services and development.

It added that the National Assembly, in exercising its oversight responsibilities, should demonstrate leadership by ensuring accountability in the management of constituency project funds.

The organisation further argued that the allegations, if established, would amount to breaches of the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act 2007, which require transparency, accountability and due process in the management of public resources.

Politics

Parties’ Deregistration: How Justice Lifu Overruled Appeal Court Justices

Published

2 weeks ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday brushed aside the order of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which ordered him to stay proceedings in a suit that sought deregistration of the African Democratic Party (ADC), Accord Party and three others.
The Court of Appeal in a unanimous decision of a panel of three Justices had on May 22, 2026 directed the Federal High Court Judge not to proceed with the suit until an appeal pending before them and filed by Accord Party is resolved.
In a Certified True Copy Enrol Order of the Superior Court, Justices Mohammed Danjuma, Adebukola Banjoko and Oyejoju Oyewumi asked the lower Court Judge to stay proceedings until all issues on the appeal filed by the Accord Party were resolved
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State had, through the Accord Party, applied to justice Lifu to join him as a defendant in the deregistration legal battle instituted by a group of former legislators.
The contention of the Osun State governor was that he had a stake in the Accord Party, being the platform he was seeking re-election in the August 15 gubernatorial poll in the state.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu on April 27 ruled against the Osun State governor, rejecting his request to be joined in the suit to defend his own position and interest.
Not satisfied with the Federal High Court decision, the Osun State governor, through his lawyer, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), moved to the Court of Appeal in Abuja where he challenged the Justice Lifu decision to refuse to allow him join the suit.
After listening to the argument canvassed, especially that he has interest to protect as Accord Party gubernatorial candidate for Osun State governorship election, the three Justices of the Court of Appeal, unanimously directed Justice Lifu to allow them look into the grievances of the governor.
In specific terms, the Court of Appeal Justices directed Justice Lifu not to proceed further with the matter and fixed October 27 to determine the interlocutory appeal of the appellant.
However, when the certified enroll order and notice of appeal were served on Justice Peter Lifu by Mr Adetunbi (SAN), the judge rejected it on the ground that it was a ploy to arrest his judgment in the matter.
Although the judge had adjourned his judgment delivery in the matter indefinitely, he finally made a dramatic turn around on Monday and proceeded to deliver the judgment that has now proscribed the five political parties.