As
a young democracy striving to move away from the culture of military
dictatorship, Nigeria’s civic space was quite narrow at the dawn of the
Jonathan administration. Civil societies were only starting to develop, hence
still learning the ways of democratic environment. Previous administrations
have struggled, and in some cases failed, to tolerate the demands for popular
participation by civil society organisations. However, given the centrality of
civil liberty in the development of democracy, the Jonathan administration
remains committed to expanding the civic space in a number of ways.
Specific
Reforms
Democracy and Civic Participation: Since the advent of the
Jonathan administration, the civic space has been expanded for democracy and
civic participation. This administration is convinced that civic consciousness
is a lubricant to democracy. This has given rise to unprecedented growth in the
number of civil society groups in Nigeria. These groups are not only active in
advocating for civil rights, but also sometimes engage themselves in political
activism. Such examples include the Save Nigeria Group, Occupy Nigeria,
Corruption Watch and others who take on government at the slightest
opportunity. An example is the involvement of Save Nigeria Group in the fuel
subsidy removal protests that was initially a labour-led protest.
Presidential Retreat for Civil
Society Organisations:
On 6 September 2012, Mr President hosted civil society organisations at a
presidential retreat. It was an open forum for members to express their views
before Mr President on the ongoing constitutional review and other matters of
interest. More than 300 groups attended the inaugural retreat and voted on a
number of national issues. It created a sense of civic participation in the
constitutional review process, and it was a pleasant experience for federal
government to engage civil society in a prime role.
Between
2010 -2013, the federal government has conceded to the demands of the people in
a manner previously unprecedented. Not only that, it has reversed some
decisions based on the complaints and suggestions of the people. Remarkably,
trade disputes are now, more than ever before, resolved through dialogue.
Pro-poor and gender empowerment issues now take centre stage. Within the
period, more than ever before, Nigeria has witnessed more opportunities for
both men and women. There are presently 13 female ministers and 26 female
Special Advisers/SSAPs/SAPs playing critical, unprecedented and uncommon roles
in the government.
National Dialogue Conference: During Mr President’s
Independence Day Speech in 2013, he announced the need to organise a national
dialogue on the future of Nigeria. This is in cognisance of well-meaning
Nigerians’ suggestions over the years for a national dialogue. The government
inaugurated a 13-man National Advisory Committee to work out the modalities for
a national dialogue. The national dialogue aims to realistically examine and
resolve longstanding impediments to the country’s growth and development. The
Committee have completed its assignment and have submitted its report to
government for further action.
Specific
Outcomes and Results
Flowing
from the above, the Jonathan administration have recorded the following
successes:
-
Citizens enjoy a high sense of
freedom.
- Citizens are now bolder and more
assertive.
- Citizens have a high sense of
participation in issues of governance.
-
Governance issues are now more
freely and openly discussed without any fear.
-
Opposition parties and groups
enjoy total liberty, and as a result they are now more confident and strong,
thereby making the political space more competitive, democratic, and reflective
of every shade of opinion.
-
Citizens are more confident and
freely resort to court in defence of their rights, etc.
-
Press freedom has been
entrenched and greatly expanded, with the Nigeria press being regarded by most
people as the freest in Africa.
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