Monetisation of elections hindering competent people from contest – Group
By: Ahmed AmOrganization
A group, Democratic Reorientation Circle says the high monetisation of elections in Nigeria is blocking competent people from the contest, making it difficult for the country to get qualty leaders.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the first inaugural meeting of group in Dutse, Jigawa state.
“Elections in Nigeria have been highly monetized thereby making elective offices difficult for people with capacity, competence and limited resources to participate”.
“Majority of constituents hardly understand what they should expect from both elected and appointed officials as well as the delivery of good governance,” it added.
The Democratic Reorientation Circle also expressed worry on how ethnicity and religion are prioritized over capacity, competence and integrity in voting candidates into elective offices.
The participants in the meeting stressed the need to reorient the electorates on the ideals of democracy through awareness creation.
It pledged to collaborate with other partners to ensure continued engagement of citizens on democratic processes and principles through advocacy and dialogue to build the capacity of individuals and groups to improve the understanding of the government by the governed.
They called on voters to vote only candidate based on competence and intergrity.
The group urged Nigerians to support the campaign to promote democratic values and good governance.
The Democratic Reorientation Circle is an initiative dedicated to promoting democratic values, principles and to bridge the gap between the government and the governed while ensuring that democracy as practiced is respected and cherished by all Nigerians.
“DRC core objectives include but not limited to conducting educational programmes and campaigns to increase awareness on democratic values and governance processes among Nigerians, encourage active participation in democratic processes by providing platforms for dialogue and interaction between citizens and their representatives, train individuals and groups on effective advocacy and civic responsibilities to empower them to take active and informed roles in governance and conducting research on democratic practices as well as advocating for policies that enhances democratic governance in Nigeria”.