Up to 21 civil society organisations, under the umbrella of Joinbodi, have charged the incoming administration to be accountable to the electorate for Nigeria to join the league of developed nations.
At the launch of a research report and conference on political accountability and elections in Nigeria, the CSOs and traditional rulers said accountability in governance has been the bane of Nigeria’s democracy and must be tackled if the country is to develop.
Speaking at the event Monday in Abuja, the Secretary General, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, said the launch of the report is critical in order for the incoming administration to be guided on fulfilling the mandates of their offices as executive officers and National Assembly members.
“The launch of the research report was supposed to hold before the 2023 general elections, but was postponed as a result of unforseen circumstances. However, it is important that it is happening now before the swearing-in of the executives, National Assembly and states house of assembly members,” she said.
Also speaking, the Africa Director, MacArthur Foundation, Dr Kole Shettima, said the research report launch is important in order to move the country forward.
“At MacArthur Foundation, the pillars of our work border on holding government accountable at all times. We work more on accountability and behaviorial change. This is why we sponsor investigative journalism. As Nigerians, we always complain that Nigeria is bad, but when we get the opportunity, we do bad things ourselves. Therefore, the research report is a very serious journey that must be implemented, otherwise all of us will suffer as a country,” he said.
In his keynote address, former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commissioner, Prof. Okey Ibeanu, said media organisations, CSOs and traditional rulers are just as important as INEC in ensuring the accountability of elected officials.
