10 WAYS WE CAN IMPROVE DEMOCRACY & ACCOUNTABILITY IN NIGERIA

1) Create an effective Opposition through Shadow Cabinets system instead of haphazard criticism and commentary. a. OPPOSITION need to begin to look like Governments –in-Waiting.
2) Don’t just oppose for the sake of it. You lose credibility that way. BE CONSTRUCTIVE.
3) Develop the Habit of CONTACTING YOUR ELECTED Representatives regularly.
a. Voice your opinions on developments and proposed Legislations. b. Use Email, Phone, Letters. Become a DEMOCRATIC NUISANSE IF NECESSARY. c. Use Social Media to pursue elected representatives not doing their job.
4) USE EXISTING CONSTITUTIONAL provisions, such as RECALL of elected politicians.
a. This will STRIKE FEAR IN THE HEARTS OF POLITICIANS if they know constituents are willing to use this provision, if they mess up. b. Elected officials need to know that the law has Teeth and should be respected.
5) Make effective use of the Courts to test laws and governmental conducts.
o Judicially review government’s actions and inactions.
6) Clamour for CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM in Nigeria. a. Stolen money is mostly used to finance campaigns. b. Parties should be forced by law to PUBLISH ACCOUNTS after each campaign. c. These accounts should be independently audited. d. Campaign finance LIMITS should be imposed (on Candidates) on a strict Liability basis.
7) Demand transparency from ELECTED POLITICIANS THROUGH A PUBLICLY-AVAILABLE REGISTER OF INTERESTS LAW.
i. We should demand new law that makes is compulsory for ALL elected officials and appointed Ministers to complete a Register of Interests that will be publicly accessible. ii. This will allow us to identify any CONFLICTS OF INTEREST situations and force better accountability.
8) Through vigilance we MUST CREATE A CULTURE OF CITIZENS BOYCOTTS OF BUSINESSES THAT FEED POLITICAL CORRUPTION.
i. Companies should be put on notice, that if you bribe politicians or pollute our democracy, we as citizens will Boycott your products and services. ii. This will be an added pressure on the business community to refuse illegal demands from officials by increasing the stakes for them. iii. We must create disincentives for BOTH the Bribe Taker and the Bribe GIVER. iv. A Citizens WATCHDOG could be created to champion this by Informing the people.
9) Promote Adoption of ELECTORAL REFORM TO ALLOW INDEPENDENT CANDIDACY and also IMPROVE INTERNAL PARTY DEMOCRACY.
Party politics in Nigeria is a Joke. · There are no IDEOLOGICAL differences · There is little or no Policy Differences · Elected politician crosses carpets all the time.
INDEPENDENT Candidacy will revive democracy in Nigeria and make Politics Cheaper (because you will avoid the need for a national party structure).
10) Creation of an Independent Citizens Group(s) called, THE MANIFESTO MONITORING AGENCY. a. Case Law in many common law countries have shown Political Manifestoes cannot be legally enforced. b. But the COURT of Public OPINION can be used to shame and force accountability from Politicians.
i. A Manifesto Monitoring agency will release what politicians have done regarding their Individual Promises and Party manifestoes.
ii. A Manifesto Monitoring agency will release reports on manifestoes 4 times a year on each senior politician and the governing party.
EXAMPLE – XY PARTY PROMISED POLICE REFORMS; BUT WORK TOWARDS THAT PROMISE IS CURRENTLY 0%.
· This WILL KEEP TAB ON EACH POLITICIAN AND POLITICAL PARTY who make promises in their manifesto only to ignore it after winning elections.
· This will FORCE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICIANS; especially as this is not coming for a political opponent but an Independent Citizens Group.
I can BE INVOLVED I will BE INVOLVED I must BE INVOLVED
I can, I will, I must.