Good Governance: Stakeholders Urge Nigerians To Hold Lawmakers Accountable

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s governance and civic engagement space have called on citizens to take a more active role in demanding accountability from their elected lawmakers, stressing that an open and transparent parliament can only be achieved through consistent public participation.

Speaking during a national dialogue on strengthening transparency and trust in the legislature under the Promoting Open Parliament and Strengthening Legislative Accountability (POPULAR) Project in Abuja yesterday, they said lawmakers and citizens must build a two-way relationship for democratic progress.

The programme executive of OrderPaper, Jokpa Erusiafe, said the POPULAR project was designed to promote openness in parliamentary processes and encourage Nigerians to understand and monitor the actions of their representatives.

She noted that the second phase of the initiative had recorded progress through radio programmes, media engagements and advocacy visits aimed at sensitising citizens on the duties of legislators.

“Citizens cannot all go to the National Assembly; they elect representatives to speak for them. If someone represents me, I should know what they are doing and be assured they are protecting my interests,” she said.

Erusiafe added that many constituents still ask the wrong questions when engaging lawmakers, focusing on personal needs rather than demanding improved healthcare, education and other essential policies.

“Legislators are not there to distribute money. They are elected to create policies that improve living conditions,” she said.

Also speaking, the programme and communications manager of the Centre for Transparency and Accountability, Mr MacDonald Ekemezie, said the dialogue would help deepen awareness on citizens’ participation and strengthen synergy between the parliament and the people.

He stressed the need for lawmakers to regularly visit their constituencies, hold town hall meetings and explain their achievements, adding that citizens have a constitutional right to demand accountability.

“If we do not ask questions about how the parliament makes laws and approves the budget, we will not be promoting democracy or strengthening governance,” Ekemezie noted.

He urged citizens to ask the right questions, track legislative activities and ensure their representatives act in the public interest, insisting that accountability is a shared responsibility between leaders and the electorate.