SERAP To Nigerians: 'You have roles to play in transparency, accountability in governance'

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SERAP, ADETOKUNBO MUMUNI 

A Lagos-based rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has informed Nigerians that they have one or more roles to play in ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.

SERAP, in collaboration with the Luminate, gave the hint at a Town Hall meeting which focused on the topic, 'Promoting Citizens Participation in Governance Processes and Protection of Dissent, held in Lagos on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

Various roles citizens can play in the governance processes were highlighted, such as asking questions on how contracts are awarded for projects, who executes the project and under what conditions, monitoring government/ constituency projects within the locality, speaking and pointing out any project badly done, participation in electoral processes to get right leadership and election observations.

Others include holding town hall meetings, and association meetings to discuss the impact of governance on the people, such as electricity bills, bad roads, poor health and school facilities.

Citizens, according to SEEAP can participate through peaceful protests, letters to appropriate ministries and agencies, petitions and legal action. 

The meeting brought together interest groups and individuals of a diverse range of citizens including lawyers, human rights activists, civil society leaders, Local government representatives, Media trade unions, market women, taxi drivers’ associations, student associations, landlord associations, artisans, and other stakeholders to discuss strategies to improve the capacity of Nigerians to hold power to account and participate more broadly, in governance processes.

In a presentation by Dr (Mrs) Bunmi Afinowi from the University of Lagos on 'Promoting Citizens' Participation in Governance and Protection of Dissent', she insisted that governance does not have to do with government but has to do with the process of governance.

Dr Afinowi posited that for active participation in the governance processes in Nigeria, citizens should speak out.

In her words: “Citizens have the right to express or a voice to say something about the governance processes in Nigeria.

"It is within our right to ask questions. We have the right to highlight or challenge government actions which are not in conformity with our expectations.

“We should make meaningful and purposeful contributions. 

“Citizens should engage in electoral processes, participate actively in voting out bad government and enthrone true democratic process”.

Earlier in a welcome address, Mr Omoju Temidayo pointed out that in democracy, power is vested in the people, adding that for power to be meaningful, every citizen is expected to participate actively in the activities of the government.

He said that the discussion will focus on transparency, accountability, and the role of technology in citizen participation.

“We must possess and uphold the rights of citizens, speak out," Omoju added.

He enjoined all to engage in the discussion, as it will provide an opportunity for the public to raise and discuss their complaints about any issue they face as a result following the exercise of their right to peaceful dissent. 

Omoju disclosed that the complaints received at the meeting as well as the conclusions and recommendations will be sent to appropriate agencies and authorities.

The meeting, according to him, will also develop an action plan for a citizens’ consultative forum to improve the capacity of Nigerians, to hold power to account and participate more broadly, in governance processes.

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