A socio Cultural group in Kaduna “Tangwat Association of Nigeria” has embarked on intensive enlightenment campaign for citizens participation in politics to enhance National goals of leadership, accountability and promotion of Democratic growth in the Country.
Leader of the group, Mr. Yoli Bobai made this known at the sixth edition of its public lectures entitled “Enhancing Political Participation and Leadership Accountability” in Kaduna State. Nigeria.
Mr. Yoli Bobai explained that, the lectures followed the need to build the capacity of the citizenry by educating them on various ways they could participate in politics, so as to understand their Democratic rights of holding Governmen accountable.
He charged the participants and Nigerians to identify themselves with various political platforms or institutions, saying that would give them the opportunity to decide who governs them, toward making political leaders responsive to their yearnings and aspirations for inclusive growth and development.
“First is to encourage people to be active in politics, and then people need to understand that, their active involvement in politics is by identifying with a political platform, being it a political party or pressure group, by voting or even organizing community programs that are politically related,
“Then the second part of it which is the accountability, is when you identify with a political platform and you get involved, then you decides who comes out to represents you as a leader, so from there, the leader knows he goes there to do your bidden,
“We are at the cross road, if you don’t get it right now, you have to wait for another four years, in a very legal manner, find a political party or pressure group that relate with politics and join, and then when you join those groups, make sure you bring contributions that will move the group forward and even the country in general, said Bobai.
In a speech, Southern Kaduna Senatorial Candidate under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP Barr. Sunday Marshall Katung and chairman of the event pointed out that, the lecture was timely, describing it as a step in the right direction.
Represented by the former member, House of Representatives, Kauru Federal Constituency, Mr Simon Yakubu Irabor, the guest speaker posited that, democracy had come to stay in Nigeria, hence the need for the citizens to get involved for leaders to be held accountable in providing dividends of democracy to the people.
Describing politics as a vocation, Sunday Marshall Katung stressed the need for Nigerians to engage themselves in other meaningful economics endeavours as they participate fully in the Country’s Political activities for self-sustainability and National Development.
In a paper presentation, a lecturer with the department of Sociology, Kaduna State University Dr. Hilary Zaggi explained that, the importance of political participation and accountability in governance cannot be over-emphasized, as it provides a platform for the citizens to influence policy making processes.
He, however, pointed out that; active political participation by citizens would always pave the way for individuals to demand accountability, as well as a platform for government to carry everyone along in the decision making process for growth and development of the country.
Climax of the program included: paper presentation, discussions, good will messages, interaction and contributions, as well as questions and answers on “enhancing political participation and leadership accountability in Kaduna State”.
Daniel Karlmax