Government accountability lacking despite separation of powers provisions, says NDD
The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), a national platform promoting ethical leadership and good governance in Nigeria, has released a report on governance perceptions following a year of public officials in office.
In the report, the NDD noted with deep concerns that there is little evidence that the government is accountable to the people despite the provisions for separation of powers and checks and balances.
The document criticises the National Assembly for its lack of engagement with the citizens while stressing the ineffective state of local governments in championing community development.
The NDD’s extensive engagement with stakeholders highlighted critical issues affecting governance and the need for accountability at all levels. The update is part of an ongoing effort by the body to regularly intervene and assess governance in Nigeria.
Additionally, the media and cultural leaders, who should be setting the agenda and serving as moral voices, appear overwhelmed by the current situation, the report said.
The NDD identifies impunity as the greatest challenge facing the nation, surpassing even corruption.
On security, the report said, “What is incontrovertible is the sad fact that the security challenges that the current set of leaders inherited last year have not gone away. Many farmers in different parts of the country have abandoned their farms as a result of insecurity. Bandits and kidnappers still strike on highways, in schools and in towns and cities. Not much has been done to deal with financiers as well as external forces who fuel terrorism and other criminal activities in Nigeria. What’s more, many high profile suspects have found a way to circumvent the legal system.”
On the economic challenges facing Nigeria, the NDD said, “ the manner by which the President removed fuel subsidy during his inaugural address on May 29 last year is at the root of the current economic challenges.”
The organisation then urged the Federal Government to review its economic policies towards making life more livable for citizens, develop coherent national economic policy and security strategy, expand the scope of engagement with Nigerians on planned polices before they are announced and implemented and advance a new national productivity policy that would put the majority of Nigerians to work in whatever sectors they choose to operate.
