NAME: NELSON UGBOGO
COUNTRY: NIGERIA
EMAIL: nelsonspeaks@yahoo.com
STATE: DELTA STATE
- Participation: I have been working with a group GLOSAREF(Global safety relief foundation) for some years now and one of their roles is election monitoring. I have not been privileged to be an independent election monitor. But I have been part of the records department.
i) One thing I learnt about participation is that it rejuvenates the people and gives us the awareness that we are the reason for democracy. The power ones from the people.
ii) One thing I dislike about participation is that it is a stick in the broom fro democratic reforms,all other important segments that make democracy works must be put in place.
2i) Two ways participation affected me positively:
I was part of a demonstration in 2005, Benin asking the governor of the day, Dr. lucky igbinedion to take a message to the then former president olusegun obasanjo that Edo state is saying No to the fuel hike. We were led by comrade Adams oshimole. The campaign was massive and effective becauser Edo state during these times did not sell fuel for the imposed hiked price.
ii) Participation builds and group confidence, my participation enforces confidence onto a group and also spreads confidence.
iii) Participation is yet to affect me negatively but many people spread the notion that it’s better to stay dormant and spare your life than be called protesting or participating in the process of election monitoring.
NAME: SAMUEL OKWARA
EMAIL: Samuel_okwara@yahoo.com
PHONE: 07035027300
COUNTRY: NIGERIA
STATE: IMO
The past months have been one of great change to me. Firstly, been deepened on the knowledge about democracy and its important in the running of good governance process in my society(country). This indeed introduced a new dimension of thinking and acting towards achieving the existence of a happy society.
Participating in democracy processes has affected my life seriously and also the people around me. I came to understand that a society is made up of all human beings occupying that environment. And this includes a youth such as I. the problems of the society affects every person occupying it. And if I don’t act or participate in democratic process in my society, I will suffer the pains there in. as a youth, I owe my society certain responsibilities and duties, these responsibilities and duties will encourage good governance practices among the leader, selfless representation and community development (not excluding accountability) doing all these encourages all other youths around me to lead a life worthy of emulation and such that will foster the sustainability of democracy.
I enjoy/ love democracy so much because it embraces unity, strength and love. I work strongly hard to foster democracy on my society because indeed the strength of my society will be made known and then we can enjoy a peaceful and happy living. All I need in life is happiness and peace and I’m really getting it with participation I democracy.
NAME: EMMANUEL NWOKWU CHUKWUNEKE
EMAIL: nwokwuetc @yahoo.com
PHONE: 07032226466
STATE: EBONYI
- In 2007 election, I participated in dissuading the youths in my community from taking part in voting having seen hoe the registration process was mesmerized by allowing only a few persons to register and hiding the registration material few days after its commencement. It however, affected us (me and my community) badly as men we didn’t want to take over the office because they neglected us totally.
- By participating in the local politics of my people in my locality, it opened my eyes to seeing how sophisticated the methods of election rigging in Nigeria. Therefore, I decided since I cannot beat them, I would rather join them, and that was a wrong mental re-organization and I’m not proud of it today.
- Firstly, I like the freedom to err my views about the well being of my people in my local community and to be listened to. Again, participation in democracy made me popular in my local community.
On the other hand, I dislike the area of being used by adult politician in my area to achieve their objectives and still leave the youths without any comprehensive plan for their development. Furthermore, I hate using weapons to the electorates and officials at the polls.
NAME: NWASUM CHINEDU JUDE
EMAIL: edunwa09@yahoo.com
PHONE: 07033224205
STATE: EBONYI
For two years now, I have participated actively in democratic process in my locality. This gave me a lot of experience and exposure making me to understand the good ,bad ,the ugly aspect of Nigerian democratic processes.
But, above all, my participation in democratic process that has affected my life so much that when I was made the returning officer of my ward in 2008 local government election in my state. I was trained in all aspect of ensuring that free and fair election upholds as regards to counting and returning the actual winner.
This developed my self confidence and a desire to make a good name and set reputation for my self by adhering and returning the winner.
In the other way round, participation in democracy processes has made to acquire skills in rigging of election and if I am not guided by my principles, I will join the group of riggers.
Participation in democracy process in my area has made me to develop and like the following things in the polity.
- It exposes me to the society making me popular.
- It builds my self confidence and hence, gives me sense of belonging.
Negative things
- It makes me vulnerable to rigging
- It ignites violence emotions when your vote does not count or the upper class manipulates the system.
NAME: ONYEDIKACHI IHEAKA
PHONE: 08065856696
EMAIL: onyedikachiiheaka@yahoo.com
COUNTRY: NIGERIA
Participation has affected my life in different ways, I want to say participation is all I need to keep going just as world’s renowned leadership practitioner said ‘’ everything rise and fall in leadership”. I think an as emerging leader, I need participation.
Democracy has improved my life, it has given me an edge over contemporaries and also a sense of belonging. It has really change some of my direction, perception and has placed me at the right direction.
- I like democracy because it is a kind of government I would say everybody the opportunity to have an opinion on government issues, its accommodating, and carry everybody along.
- I dislike it for this very reason, its governments are slow in the process of development to its masses. The government takes a lot of time to punish its offenders of its law by some questionable process.
DS
- Democracy has given me the sense of belonging, and has engendered the spirit of participation.
- It affects me negatively because most times it looks as if we are not really practicing democracy especially in this country, for example; no good roads, no power, no security, even the very popularized ‘’rule of law’’ is not practiced. There is a negative connotation in Nigeria’s democracy.
1a. I like democracy because it creates room for participation
b. it has also given us access to decision making processes.
1a . I dislike democracy for this reason, it’s a process of majority’s will not the quality.
b. It’s a process leaders promise heaven on earth but has succeeded in giving hell. E.g a graduate in Nigeria finds it hard to get a job.
