Thread by @MoghaluKingsley

Thread/Democracy Day 2020
1. As we mark Democracy Day in Nigeria today June 12, let’s reflect deeply as a country on whether or not 21 years of democracy have yielded for the average Nigerian the benefits hoped for when the military handed over to an elected civilian govt in 1999

2. We have civilian governance alright, but are we really a democracy in the sense of government of the people, for the people and by the people? We have elections every four years, but are elections in Nigeria truly an expression of the will of Nigerians?

3. We have elections and democratic institutions of government but is there really a separation of powers between these institutions? We hold elections, but have elections brought economic development and progress to Nigerians?

4. We of To Build a Nation (TBAN) @TBAN_NGR , a non-partisan citizens movement not affiliated to any political party in Nigeria, believe the time has come to give democracy in our country real meaning beyond the rituals of elections every four years.

5. For democracy in our country to have real meaning, two things must happen: First, Nigeria’s electoral framework and system must be comprehensively reformed to become transparent, thus empowering citizens to be confident that their votes will count and be counted.

6. Voting processes such as voter registration and voting participation need to be opened up, including to Nigerians in the Diaspora.

7. Second, democratic governance in Nigeria needs to take millions of Nigerians out of poverty through the election of competent governments at all levels - federal, state and local government.

8. Such outcomes can only happen through improved electoral choices in terms of candidates with the competence and capacity to address our country’s urgent needs. This calls for much more serious attention to citizen democratic education.

9. @TBAN_NGR is advocating for electoral reform through an appropriate Bill by @nassnigeria , and is committed to citizen education that better informs voting choices.

10. We call on Nigerians of all shades of opinion to agree on our common, enlightened interest in these reforms happening, and join us in pushing for them.
@MoghaluKingsley
Convener, @TBAN_NGR
#Ends