Dogara Calls for Better Links Between National Assembly and Civil Society for Accountability

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has asked the National Assembly to work more closely with civil society organisations (CSOs). He believes that better partnerships are key to improving how the legislature oversees government actions and ensures that public funds benefit Nigerians.

Mr Dogara made this request on Tuesday during the National Assembly Open Week in Abuja. This annual event brings together lawmakers, civil society groups, development partners, and the media to push for transparency and accountability in the legislative process.

Talking about Nigeria's 25 years of continuous democracy, the former speaker said many citizens are still waiting to see the benefits of democratic governance despite several budgets being approved by the National Assembly.

He pointed out the ongoing gap between the money allocated by the legislature and the actual delivery of projects and services to the people.

Mr Dogara stated that legislative oversight should go beyond just routine checks and reports. He said it should be a strong tool for spotting corruption, preventing waste, and making sure public resources are used wisely.

"The essence of oversight is to ensure that every kobo appropriated by the National Assembly is spent for the purpose for which it was approved and that Nigerians receive value for public funds," he said.

He praised the leadership of the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, for continuing the National Assembly Open Week. He called it a vital platform for boosting public engagement with parliament.

Mr Dogara noted that initiatives that allow lawmakers to connect directly with citizens, CSOs, and the media help to strengthen accountability and build trust in public institutions.

He added that democratic institutions become stronger when they are open and allow public scrutiny instead of keeping things secret.

The former speaker warned against making legislative oversight a mere formality. He said its main goal is to ensure that government programs are implemented properly and that the interests of Nigerians are protected.

He urged that civil society organisations should be seen as partners, not just critics of the government. He highlighted that they often have the technical know-how, local knowledge, and evidence that can help improve legislative oversight.

Mr Dogara described CSOs as the "eyes and ears" of the legislature. He said they are crucial in monitoring constituency projects, tracking public spending, and spotting gaps in project execution and service delivery.

Looking back at his time as speaker, he mentioned that he encouraged the involvement of civil society organisations during budget defence sessions, even when some lawmakers were against it.

He pointed out that institutions that resist public scrutiny damage trust in democratic governance.

Mr Dogara identified poor monitoring of budget implementation as one of Nigeria's main accountability problems. He argued that the issue is not always a lack of resources but often a failure to enforce approved budgets.

He urged the National Assembly to pay as much attention to monitoring budget use as it does to passing budget bills. He stressed that legislative duties do not end with budget approval.

The former speaker also called on the executive to cooperate fully with oversight bodies by giving timely access to information needed for effective checks.

He further urged civil society organisations to assist the legislature with reliable data, verified evidence, and well-documented findings to help in policy decisions and prompt necessary corrections.

Mr Dogara pushed for long-term collaboration between the National Assembly and civil society beyond the annual Open Week. He said continuous engagement would enhance oversight, increase accountability, and restore public trust in democratic institutions.

He concluded that democracy flourishes when institutions adopt openness, accountability, and constructive criticism. He called on lawmakers, parliamentary staff, CSOs, and citizens to work together to ensure government policies, budgets, and development projects make real improvements in the lives of Nigerians.