A University of Calabar don, Edor J. Edor, says “Nigeria as a country has made democracy reflective in their politics only during campaigns and elections where the leaders run down to the electorates who otherwise are called grassroots, for their support to cling to power.” This practice, he added, “does not reflect a true democracy because the electorates do not willingly elect candidates of their choice, as they are supervised under whips and caprices directly or indirectly to make their choices, choices which do not reflect the true picture of their minds, but because they just have to do it first to save their heads, and second to benefit from the spontaneous showers of gifts and monies by politicians.”
Edor who spoke at a one day summit organised by the Ricketts Frontiers, a political pressure group, this past Saturday, December 11, 2021, at Obubra LGA, Cross River Central, with the theme “Grassroots Involvement In Democracy; A Requirement for Effective Democratic Representation” further maintained that democracy is not experienced or enjoyed in the grassroots level. Rather, people at the grassroots, “are left to pray to God for what the government ought to willingly do. Why should a citizen pray for journey mercies? Because there are bad roads; why should a citizen pray for long life? Because there are unequipped hospitals; why should a citizen pray for security? Because the security agents are not properly trained and equipped; why should a citizen pray for daily bread? Because there is unemployment. Government has made the grassroots lose the sense of democracy, and now they bother God unnecessarily with their prayers. There will still be accidents, there will still be short life, there will still be insecurity, and there will still be hunger if the government does not take up their responsibilities.”
Successful businessman and former Commissioner of Information, CRS, Akin Ricketts, also used the occasion to formally declare his intention to run for Senate, Cross River Central Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. He opined that, “my decision to enter the race comes with a commitment to do for my people, what has appeared too difficult for those who have represented us in the senate all these while, to do”, he exclusively told www.calitown.com
The summit which drew a large gathering of party men and women, traditional rulers, friends and well wishers, had in attendance two former chairmen of Obubra LGA, Chris Obasse and Etaba Okpa, Ernest Irek, Alex Irek, several Yakurr, Abi and Obubra LGA councillors, among others.