One major characteristic feature of
a Representative Democracy is the
ability of the government to be
accountable to the citizens. Since
elected public office holders
assumed power through public
votes, it becomes imperative of
them to remain accountable to the
public.
However, Public Accountability in
governing the affairs of people and
management of public asset
especially in Nigeria has remained
questionable. Public Institutions
such as, EFCC, ICPC and indeed
Code of Conduct Bureau/Tribunal
established to hold public office
holders accountable to the
electorates have become political
machinery to whittle-down the
power of oppositions.
Notwithstanding all these, the
present administration of
President Goodluck Jonathan in
Nigeria has consistently promised
to be more accountable to the
electorates.
This is a part some people will not like to hear, but we will say it here for historical purposes. When the great Biafran leader, Col. Dim Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu was granted a state pardon by President Shehu Shagari in 1982, the Ikemba soon contested for Senate under the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN), but did his people vote for him? Lest we also forget, he contested for the presidency, how many votes did he got even in Anambra? Let us bring in Chief Alex Ekweme. We recall, despite being founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),he contested for the party nomination for president in 2002. We all remember how the South-East governors then did all they could to outdo themselves to be seen to be more loyal to President Olusegun Obasanjo than even his own ministers. There was nothing wrong in all these for these people as long as it all guarantees fat bank accounts and unmerited rewards. No one talks about Biafra when contract figures are inflated; Biafra makes no sense ...
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