Citizen participation has been identified as the key factor that can guarantee good Governance, particularly in Cross River State and Nigeria in general.
Speaking at a Twitter space online stakeholders interactive engagement organized by the Cross River Movement (TCRM) and anchored by Iso Bassey founder of the organization, the keynote speaker, Kunle Lawal, who is the Executive Director at the Electoral College Nigeria, pointed out that, understanding and participating in the democratic process is the only thing that can guarantee results in the polity.
According to Lawal, “while governance is the provision of systems that enable the government to provide equal and fair opportunities to citizens and people who are more marginal in the society, and leading citizens to the perfect directions, citizens too owe a duty to participate by engaging these systems through meaningful contributions.”
Some other factors that Were enumerated as avenues through which citizens can participate to ensure good governance are; political parties, Civic Society Organizations (CSOs), the Legislative arm of government, and the media.
According to Lawal, “Citizens ought to first understand the political systems and make contributions through the media, and thereafter political parties who give the electorates the fora to participate and access government.”
Stakeholders at the engagement also enumerated that, to participate in governance, citizens need information, an open channel approach, and a full understanding of the jurisdictions of political offices all in no small measure.
However, Speaking at the Twitter space online stakeholders interactive engagement organized by the Cross River Movement (TCRM) and anchored by Iso Bassey founder of the organization, Iso Bassey appreciated the participants for attending the event.
He expressed worry that with the extent of poverty, pursuing good governance via accountability through a seemingly slow judicial process might seem a difficult task for citizens. But encouraged citizens not to be discouraged.
Furthermore, stakeholders also expressed worry that less than 10 percent of political officeholders stand the jurisdiction of their political offices, while only 6 to 7 percent Nigeria Citizens of the voting population know the political systems and are politically literate. They agreed that participation and good leadership is the solution to Nigeria’s problems.