The Director General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr Dasuki Arabi, has asserted that the guarantee of the right for dissenting opinion is central to democracy and good governance.
Giving a goodwill message at a high-level meeting on “Enhancing Citizens’ Participation and Protecting Dissent in Nigeria, organised by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP in Abuja, Wednesday, Dr Arabi citizens must be free to reject obnoxious laws, corrupt practices or any negative policy of government through peaceful protest if positive progress must be made by the government in power.
He said, as an organization with quality service at its heart, he has encouraged BPSR to champion national rebirth through freedom of expression, movement and activities tailored towards making government and institutions to live by the principles of fairness, justice and equity.
Also, speaking, the chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, emphasided the importance of constant citizen engagement, urging representatives to remain accountable and responsive to the people’s needs.
He described the 10th House of Representatives under Speaker Abbas Tajudeen as second to none in projecting people-friendly policies and programmes for the good of the citizenry.
He highlighted the House of Representatives’ efforts to enhance citizen participation through functional constituency offices and active social media channels, noting that the ‘Open House Week’ being organized by the House leadership was to ensure that all Nigerians have access to the members with the view to voicing their concerns and how governance should run in the country.
The meeting aimed to encourage an environment where citizens feel empowered to participate in governance and express dissenting views without fear of reprisals.
Participants stressed the need for strengthened laws and promoted responsibility among individuals and journalists to safeguard democratic values.
The high-level meeting culminated in a call to action, with participants committing to implement recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, promoting human rights, press freedom, and inclusive democracy.
SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, had earlier noted the high-level meeting aimed to boost citizens’ engagement and safeguard dissenting voices in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The event brought together stakeholders and experts to tackle the challenges facing citizen participation in governance.