ActionAid Nigeria has called on all tiers of government, civil society organisations, and citizens to demonstrate a renewed commitment to accountability.
Andrew Mamedu, AAN country director, made the call in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, commemorating the International Day of Democracy.
The commemoration serves as an opportunity for the global community to reflect on the state of democratic processes and governance.
Mr Mamedu said the theme of the commemoration served as a powerful call to move beyond merely expressing the will of the people to taking decisive steps to translate it into tangible results and good governance.
“This commemoration for Nigeria is an urgent demand for a system where the voice of the people is not just heard but is acted upon to repair the fractures in our democracy and ensure its foundational pillars are not eroded.
“While we have sustained a continuous civilian rule for over two and a half decades, the promise of democracy, accountability, good governance, and credible elections remains for many an illusion,” he said.
He added that the presidency must be held accountable for actions that undermine federalism, as seen in the Rivers crisis.
He frowned upon the declaration of a state of emergency in River by President Bola Tinubu and the suspension of a democratically elected governor and serving members of the State House of Assembly.
He also stated that the National Assembly must hold the executive branch accountable by fulfilling its role in checks and balances.
He further urged the judiciary to be the hope of the common man and be bold and swift in rendering judgments on issues of national interest that have a bearing on the interpretation of the Constitution.
“We therefore demand the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to her senatorial seat in compliance with the Federal High Court’s judgment,” he said.
Mr Mamedu also called for the swift passage of electoral reform legislation, including provisions for the electronic transmission of results, adding that this would ensure transparency and accountability in the country’s electoral process.
(NAN)
