By Meletus EZE
Two good governance advocates have called on the Federal Government to domesticate the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance to eliminate weaknesses in Nigeria’s democracy.
The advocates made the call at a media training on Mobilising Civil Society Support for the Implementation of African Governance Architecture (AGA) and African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), organised by ActionAid Nigeria.
Mr Yusuf Shamsudeen, a programme officer with Centre for Democracy and Development, in a paper, “ACDEG, AGA: Issues and Perspectives’’ noted that ACDEG and AGA were adopted by African Union (AU) to strengthen good governance.
Shamsudeen said Nigeria adopted ACDEG in 2007 and ratified it in January 2012. He said the steps that by ratifying the documents, it meant that Nigeria had given consent to it as a valid official document which it would implement.
Shamsudeen said the country must conduct regular, transparent, free and fair elections and strengthen institutions with responsible for carrying out the functions.
He said it was imperative for Nigeria to implement the charter because the core principles of its democracy were under threat.
He noted that Nigeria’s democracy was plagued by weak institutions, leadership problems, poverty, human rights abuse, corruption, unemployment, conflict, among other vices.
“Nigeria, being a state party to the instrument, is bound to adhere to its core principles by domesticating ACDEG and AGA in the country because it stands to benefit greatly from it.
“By domestication, it means national laws should be formulated, if not available, and certain action should be taken by the government to promote them in the country.
“This charter will take away the weaknesses of Nigeria’s democracy and strengthen her electoral process, create equality, increase rule of law and human rights, among other systems.
“It will also eliminate all forms of discrimination and enhance fundamental freedom, while enhancing rights of persons with disabilities, women, minority, migrants, refugees, displaced persons and other marginalised social groups.”
The Campaign and Advocacy Officer of ActionAid Nigeria, Mr Arome Agenyi, said although Nigeria had signed the charter, it had yet to push for its implementation locally in spite of its benefits.
Agenyi said “ACDEG and AGA were aimed at assisting African countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and Millennium Development Goals.
“They stand to gain good governance, youth inclusiveness in decision making for democracy, peaceful and transparent conduct of elections, security and many more that would foster speedy development.”
He said this was what necessitated ActionAid Nigeria to train journalists of the charters to equip them to enlighten the government and the public on its importance.
This, he said was to improve the quality of media reportage and keep journalist focused on the key issues that should be addressed for sustainable development and ensure social justice.
