The disconnect between citizens and their elected representatives breeds distrust and complacency, key ideals that democracy is built on, and to judge how far the dividends of democracy have gone, it must be felt at the grassroots. To this end, Yiaga Africa is committed to deepening democratic engagement at the grassroots level with the recent launch of its People’s Assembly Initiative in Enugu and Anambra States. The initiative, supported by the Open Society Foundation (OSF), is designed to provide a platform for citizens to engage directly with their elected local government representatives, thereby amplifying community voices and fostering participatory governance.
In her opening remarks, Antonia Onda, Senior Program Officer at Yiaga Africa, explained that after establishing Peoples Assemblies in 7 other states, Enugu and Anambra offered a conducive political environment and accessibility to stakeholders, which were key considerations in selecting the two states to make up the 12 states earmarked for the project. She noted that the presence and participation of local government officials in the People’s Assembly will help ensure that community priorities are effectively addressed.
Onda emphasised that conducting a successful People’s Assembly will involve robust stakeholder engagement, participant mobilisation, and effective facilitation. Participants were further enlightened on how to carry out the steps and processes for an effective People’s Assembly. She reiterated that the initiative is a step toward institutionalising deliberative democracy in Nigeria.
During the training sessions, Yiaga Africa’s Program Officer, Olaniyan Sanusi, explained the essence of the People’s Assembly. He said the Assembly will allow people to convene under a non-partisan platform to deliberate on issues affecting their communities, debate the issues, giving room for diverse voices until an agreement is reached on priority matters with which to engage local government officials. He urged participants, saying, “As Nigerians, we should not give up on democracy, despite its inadequacies.
The pilot assemblies are set to commence in Awka South Local Government Area in Anambra State and Enugu North in Enugu State. Selected community leaders and advocates will spearhead the sessions and help improve local governance through the inclusive dialogue of the assembly.
Community stakeholders such as Elder Kingsley Nwokoye, President General of Isiagu Community, and Barr. Ekweozor Oge, Woman Leader of Awka, expressed commitment to cascading the knowledge and practices gained to various towns within the council areas—including Awka, Amawbia, Isiagu, Ezinator, Umuawulu, Nibo, and Nise.
