APC chieftain calls for more democratic inclusion

A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Prof. Richard King, has called for the strengthening of democratic institutions to give Nigerians more opportunities to participate in the democratic process.

Speaking with The Nation in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, King said Nigeria will only get it right when she allows true democracy to prevail and “citizens are guaranteed a sacrosanct role in her leadership recruitment process.” He said democratic institutions are weak and frustrating because citizens are denied participatory role and the system continues to pander to the interest of a few.

King added: “When the entire process is non-inclusive and operates at the detriment of the collective interest or general good, for so long will the governing class be aligned to the selfish ambitions of political godfathers; and never to the people’s good.”

King said the people must be allowed to participate meaningfully in the elective process. His words: “The most critical link in the governance chain lies in peoples’ right to choose their representatives.”

King, who is a Professor of Fisheries and Aquaculture, flayed the role of the state independent electoral commissions in conducting local government elections, saying it amounts to a travesty and mockery of democracy, “because only the ruling party in each state wins in such contest”.

He said: “It is a mockery of democracy for state independent electoral commissions to continue organising such embarrassing roll-calls all in the name of conducting local government elections.”

The professor of fisheries and aquaculture said popular participation in the leadership selection process, particularly at the grassroots level, is the panacea to arresting the leadership deficit currently bedeviling the nation’s development. He added the country has the potentials for tremendous growth, if human and natural resources are harnessed and utilized optimally.

He said residents should leverage on the local government elections scheduled for December 2, 2017 in Akwa Ibom State, to help in deepening the country’s democratic process.

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