Group Urges Nigerians to Promote Democratic Values, Good Governance
From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Democratic Reorientation Circle (DRC) has called on Nigerians to actively promote democratic values and good governance for a better Nigeria.
This call was made in a communique signed by Ishak Muhammed Hussain, the chairman of the drafting committee, during the DRC’s pre-inaugural meeting held on Saturday in Kano.
According to the communique, the DRC is an initiative dedicated to promoting democratic values and principles in Nigeria. It emphasized that the need for an informed and engaged citizenry has never been more critical as the country continues to evolve.
“The DRC aims to bridge the gap between the government and the governed while ensuring that democracy, as practiced, is respected and cherished by all Nigerians,” the statement said.
The meeting, headed by DRC convener and president Abubakar Murtala, identified the group’s core objectives, including conducting educational programs and campaigns to increase awareness of democratic values and governance processes among Nigerians. The DRC also seeks to encourage active participation in democratic processes by providing platforms for dialogue and interaction between citizens and their representatives.
Other objectives include training individuals and groups on effective advocacy and civic responsibilities to empower them to take active and informed roles in governance, conducting research on democratic practices, and advocating for policies that enhance democratic governance in Nigeria.
During the meeting, key issues were identified, including the monetization of elections in Nigeria, which makes it difficult for individuals with capacity, competence, and limited resources to participate. The prioritization of ethnicity and religion over capacity, competence, and integrity in voting for candidates was also highlighted as a significant concern.
The participants called on Nigerians to support the DRC’s efforts in promoting democratic values and good governance. They urged citizens to vote based on competence and integrity and to hold leaders accountable for fulfilling their campaign promises.
