From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Kenyan scholar, Professor PLO Lumumba has reiterated the importance of credible elections in ensuring good governance and sustainable democratic culture in Nigeria.
Prof Lumumba stated this yesterday in his lecture at the annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Leadership and Good Governance Lecture and Awards held at the Alyu Akwe Banquet Hall, Government House, Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital in collaboration with the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.
The event was held to promote and reward excellence in leadership and governance, and was attended by dignitaries from different spheres of life.
Professor Lumumba who spoke on the theme “Credible Elections as a Panacea for Research for Quality Leadership and Legacy for Good Governance and Sustainable Democratic Culture in Nigeria” highlighted the role of leadership in ensuring credible elections, noting, “it is the responsibility of leaders to provide the necessary framework and infrastructure to support free and fair electoral processes.”
Lumumba also said that “the absence of credible elections could lead to a breakdown of trust between the people and their leaders, which could ultimately undermine the stability and development of the country” while emphasizing the need for leaders to prioritize the interests of the people they serve, rather than their own personal ambitions.
He further stressed the importance of accountability and transparency in governance, and called on leaders to be more responsive to the needs of their constituents. He noted that the failure of leaders to address the concerns of the people could lead to disillusionment and a lack of trust in the political process.
Declaring the Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture open, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial foundation, former governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, stressed the need for leaders to prioritize the welfare and wellbeing of their citizens.
Aliyu tasked leaders to be deliberate in creating a good nation, stating that it would make the people have confidence in the country.