Electronic Petition and Democratic Participation in Nigeria
Aderonke Atinuke Oni, Charles Korede Ayo, Samuel Oni, Moses Metumara Duruji · Covenant University Repository (Covenant University) · 2015
Citizen’s participation in decisions on how the country is governed is crucial in a democratic polity. In Nigeria however, credible platform for citizens input in major policy decisions that affect their lives hardly exist. The Nigerian State is faced with the crisis of democratic legitimacy and accountability. Governance in Nigeria is characterized by corruption, display of contempt and disregard for the people, deteriorating political institutions, disrespect for human dignity and statesociety disconnect. Hence, a growing sense of public cynicism and disenchantment towards the government. It is on this premise that this paper proposes e-petition as a simple, convenience, effective, affordable mechanism for citizens’ democratic engagement. Using case study design and literature search, this paper reviews e-petition system and practice in advance democracies and develops an e-petition framework for integrating citizens input into public decision making across all levels of government in Nigeria. With the growing acceptance and usage of Internet and mobile technology in Nigeria, this paper argues that e-petition has the potential of reducing barriers to citizens ‘participation in the democratic process. The adoption of e-petition will provide wider platform for the masses to raise issues of public concerns with public authorities and as well, a mechanism for resolution of grievances or demonstration of support for popular policy. With e-petitions therefore, political malaise and the crisis of democratic accountability and legitimacy is forestalled in Nigeria