Speaker Abbas says Democracy strongest when people are involved

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, says citizens must not only be heard but also involved in governance under democracy.

He, therefore, restated the commitment of the 10th House to engaging with the public on issues of national importance.

Speaker Abbas made this known in Abuja on Wednesday at the second edition of the ‘Citizens’ Roundtable with the Leadership of the House of Representatives.’

The Speaker, in his closing address presented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, noted that the presence of the various stakeholders at the roundtable “reaffirmed a simple but powerful truth: democracy is strongest when the people are not only heard but fully involved.”

While pointing out that the contributions have enriched the deliberations and inspired a renewed commitment to people-focused governance, Speaker Abbas noted that it was “a day of dialogue, reflection, and mutual learning.”

He also said, “We came together with a shared purpose—to listen to one another, to reflect on how far we have come, and to chart a more inclusive and responsive path forward.”

Speaker Abbas stated that he was truly encouraged by “the richness of the exchanges, the clarity of the perspectives offered, and the passion with which you have spoken about the future of our country.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Majority Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere said the engagement, which brought together the leadership of the House with the citizens, “underscores it resolve to continually engage with the people they are privileged to serve.”

Prof. Ihonvbere, who spoke through the Minority Leader, added that the gathering also served as a significant marker, coinciding with the mid-term of the 10th House, “allowing us to reflect on our progress and reaffirm our dedication to the priorities of the people and nation.”

At the event were the Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere; Deputy Majority Whip, Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka; Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda; Minority Whip, Hon. Ali Isa; and Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. George Ibezimako Ozodinobi, among other members of the House.

From the Executive arm of the government were the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Mukhtar Maiha; and Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu.

Former Speakers of the House, Patricia Olubunmi Etteh and Aminu Bello Masari, were also in attendance, as well as the Executive Secretary, National Assembly Library Trust Fund, Hon. Henry Nwawuba, and the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu.

Also at the roundtable was the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahya; the Vice President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura; representatives of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), as well as several professional, non-governmental, and civil society organisations.