Citizens Speak Archives - Parliament Reports

Citizens Speak OrderPaper Specials RemTrack

Talking transparency with Faith Nwadishi | Fireside Chat Series

Timileyin OkunlolaApril 24, 202529 min

Faith Nwadishi, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), believes transparency is the key to unlocking the development potential of Nigeria’s extractive sector. In this fireside conversation with Parliament Reports, she discusses how accountability can drive equitable growth, reduce conflict, and ensure citizens benefit from the country’s vast natural resources, emphasizing the role of transparency as a guiding light that exposes corruption and fosters sustainable growth. Excerpts: In Brief: Who is Faith Nwadishi?...

Citizens Speak House of Representatives Senate

Fubara: NASS must end the state capture in Rivers now | OPINION

Op-ed EditorApril 10, 20256 min

“Let us not be deceived. This is a deliberate, coordinated, and well-funded assault on Governor Siminalayi Fubara.” By Charles Jiduwah By any stretch of democratic logic, what is happening in Rivers state today is nothing short of a full-blown constitutional crisis – and the National Assembly (NASS) is complicit. The Nigerian Constitution makes no provision for a sole administrator in any state. Yet, here we are, witnessing a dangerous political experiment unfold in full view...

Citizens Speak House of Representatives Senate State Assemblies

State of Emergency: Tinubu’s power grab and assault on democracy | OPINION

Op-ed EditorApril 3, 20256 min

Where is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)? Where is the Labour Party (LP)? Their collective silence in the face of this constitutional breach is a national embarrassment. By Charles Jiduwah The political crisis in Rivers State has laid bare the troubling weaknesses of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. What started as a battle for control between Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political benefactor, Minister Nyesom Wike, has escalated into a full-blown constitutional crisis—one now exacerbated by...

Citizens Speak

OPINION | Proposed prime minister bill is a needless distraction

Leah TwakiMarch 28, 20252 min

“The idea of a Prime Minister in Nigeria’s current system is, at best, an unnecessary distraction and, at worst, a costly addition to a government that is already bloated and inefficient” Nigeria is a country facing serious, pressing challenges—crippling inflation, widespread insecurity, a struggling economy, and a populace growing weary of governance that feels more disconnected from their needs by the day. Yet, rather than focusing on policies that could bring immediate relief, our lawmakers...

Citizens Speak

We Are All Ushie Uguamaye

Op-ed EditorMarch 19, 20256 min

In recent days, Nigeria has been gripped by the unfolding story of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Lagos, who courageously voiced her concerns over the nation’s escalating economic hardships. Opinion piece by ANTHONY UBANI In a video shared widely on social media, Ms. Uguamaye criticized government policies she believes have exacerbated the rising cost of living, referring to President Bola Tinubu as a “terrible leader” and questioning his...

Citizens Speak National Assembly Politics

OrderPaper, BudgIT launch advocacy on executive-legislative relations

Sharon EboesomiMarch 19, 20254 min

OrderPaper and BudgIT, leading civic tech organisations in Nigeria, have launched the advocacy to improve separation of powers in Nigeria. Two leading civic organisations, BudgIT and OrderPaper, have expressed deep concern over the weakening of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, citing increasing executive overreach, a compromised legislature, and a judiciary struggling to maintain independence. In a joint statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, both organisations decried the steady erosion of the constitutional principle of separation of powers,...

Citizens Speak National Assembly Politics

The imperative of passing the early voting and diaspora voting bills

Op-ed EditorMarch 17, 202515 min

As citizens become increasingly engaged with the global and technological landscape, it is imperative that the National Assembly passes laws enabling both early voting and diaspora voting. By Anthony Ubani In a dynamic and rapidly changing world, the principles of democracy must evolve to meet the needs of all citizens, wherever they may be. In Nigeria, two crucial reforms—early voting and diaspora voting—are long overdue, with the potential to significantly enhance electoral participation, inclusivity, and...

Citizens Speak

Tax Reforms: Examining the controversial bills

Op-ed EditorFebruary 18, 202510 min

Nigeria’s proposed tax reform bill has ignited fierce debate, with supporters hailing it as a necessary step to modernise an outdated system and boost revenue, while critics warn of economic strain and regional inequality. By Michael Olaogun As the year 2024 was drawing to a close, Nigeria’s political climate was engulfed with conversations and counter conversations on the proposed tax reform bills that are currently being considered by the Nigerian National Assembly. The imbroglio continues...

Citizens Speak

Oke Epia appointed to global parliamentary group

Joy EruraneDecember 22, 20243 min

Epia joins an elite assembly of parliamentary officials, academics, and civil society leaders from several countries. The International Parliament Engagement Network (IPEN) has announced the appointment of Oke Epia, founder/executive director of OrderPaper Nigeria, into an international advisory group to support the development of essential resources to enhance public engagement within parliaments globally. Epia joins an elite assembly of parliamentary officials, academics, and civil society leaders from countries such as Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia,...

Citizens Speak RemTrack

REMTRACK: A tool for public accountability in Nigeria’s oil, gas and mining reforms

Op-ed EditorDecember 18, 202413 min

For over five decades, Nigeria has relied on its oil and gas sector for its major foreign exchange and revenue earnings. Environmental degradation, loss of livelihoods, strange diseases, lack of portable water etc unfortunately instead became the lot of the citizens in the host communities who wondered what went wrong in the midst of so much prospects, hopes and now, dashed dreams. Since the discovery of Oil in 1956, Nigeria has not transmuted to the...

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