On February 25 and March 18, Nigerians went out to cast their franchise for their candidates of choice both at federal and state levels, respectively. After this exercise, the question remains. What next?
Participating in governance is an essential component of a functioning democracy. After elections, citizens have the opportunity to engage with their elected representatives and hold them accountable for their promises and actions. However, it can be challenging to know where to start and how to make an impact.
As we popularly agree, democracy is a government of the people by the people and for the people. For a government to be of the people, said person must be a citizen of Nigeria and should have shown interest in leading the country. This process is seen from the political primaries and the campaign window up until the election day or a stipulated deadline as set by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Afterwards, the elections are what make the government by the people. People troop out to their various polling units to cast their franchise for whomever they may have deemed worthy of their votes and also to steer the events of the country for another four years.
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In Nigeria, to win a presidential election, the constitution stipulates that the candidate must win the popular vote and have won at least 25 per cent of two-thirds of the subnational states across the country.
This is important because a government must be formed based on the perspective of people from across all geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
The election (the BY the people component) is one of the most crucial and important parts of the democratic process.
It gives legitimacy to the government to lead, and also it gives legitimacy to the people to hold their government (their choice) accountable. Which then ushers in the last component, FOR the people.
The government, after being elected, has to work in the best interest of its citizens. This is usually irrespective of who voted for the winner of the elections. This is where the question of WHAT NEXT emanates.
In order for the government to work for us, we have to also ensure that we actively remind the actors of their promises and follow up with them, as these are the reasons they are elected into office.
The FOR the people component of democracy ensures accountability in governance and provides clarity.
As a citizen of Nigeria, you have several avenues to make your voice heard and influence government decisions.
One of the most effective ways is contacting your representatives at all levels, including members of the House, LGA chairmen, and governors. You can reach out to them through open letters, emails, or phone calls to express your opinions on issues that matter to you.
These rights have been vested in you according to section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government and that government shall be accountable to the people. Hence if the government is responsible for welfare, the onus of ensuring such welfare is provided after election promises are on us. You and I.
Furthermore, Section 22 of the constitution also empowers the media to hold the government accountable and ensure that government activities are conducted transparently.
Seeing as the internet has blurred the lines of media operations, we all have a role to play to assist on this front as well.
Additionally, another way to hold the government accountable is by using the Freedom of Information Act (FOI). The FOI empowers you to demand certain information from public offices and follow budgeting and procurement processes that are crucial for the success of your local communities.
You could also join advocacy groups and attend town hall meetings as effective ways to work with like-minded individuals to promote issues and influence policy. These groups can lobby elected officials, organise protests, and educate the public on important issues.
Attending town hall meetings is another excellent opportunity to ask questions and express your views in person. Governments at subnational levels often hold town hall meetings to hear from constituents and provide updates on their work.
Through the OGP commitments made by the Nigerian government, there have been several town halls held over the years to get citizens’ opinions on the budget and some capital projects at the subnational level.
Public hearings are another important way to participate in the governance process. These are official meetings where elected officials or government agencies listen to public comments on specific issues.
These hearings provide an opportunity for citizens to express their opinions, provide feedback, and raise concerns about policies or decisions that affect them. Participating in public hearings can be a powerful way to influence the decision-making process and ensure that your voice is heard.
Finally, you can just tweet. The truth is that social media has been a very important aspect of advancing the tenets of our democracy in Nigeria’s polity.
Platforms such as Twitter can also be used as advocacy tools in the Nigerian governance space. Movements such as the Bring Back Our Girls movement, ArewaMeToo, and EndSars started from Twitter and escalated to real-life changes in Nigeria. A simple tweet from you can go a long way in improving our democracy as a country.
These are just some ways you can participate in governance after the general elections. For us to improve our system, we all have a role to play. To ensure this improvement, active engagement and a willingness to take action have to be at the vanguard of our pursuit.
So, what would you do now that the elections are over? You do not have to do all of these, YOU CAN JUST DO ONE. Remember that your participation in governance is essential to ensuring that your community and country are governed effectively to represent your best interests.
To see something change, you have to do something to start the change.
Suleiman wrote from Abuja
