Commitment To Participatory Democracy: Gov Uzodimma’s Unique Strategies Towards Citizenship Involvement

The concept of participatory democracy simply means individual participation by citizens in political decisions and policies that affect their lives, especially directly rather than through elected representatives.

This brings to mind three (3) important strategic initiatives of His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma both of which underpins his commitment to participatory democracy in his governance style.

The first is the quarterly Imo Stakeholders meetings, the second is the establishment of the Imo Elders Council while the third is the participatory open budget system.

Governor Uzodimma himself properly situated why he started the Imo State Stakeholders meeting when he stated that, “”I do quarterly stakeholders meeting since I assumed office as the Governor of Imo State – the purpose of the quarterly stakeholders meeting is to create a platform for stakeholders to come and air their views – express their disappointments, or give their commendations in areas we’ve done well, so that collectively we can lead Imo State”.

When asked by Channels Television about the vision behind the stakeholders meeting, the Governor responded that “I am engaging stakeholders for collective leadership…We are engaging community leaders, traditional rulers, town union presidents so that every community will now rise up to secure its environment  – the outcome is that today, the insecurity is nosediving and there is relative peace in the state”.

“I think, and I do believe that God is on our side, and peace will be completely restored in Imo State.”

“I have said times without number –  publicly invited all my brothers and sisters – political leaders – business leaders – who for whatever reason, knowingly or unknowingly – feel that I have offended them to come back. I am not taking anything personal, but looking at the collective interest of our people, the interest of Imo State, the development of our state, the interest of the young men and women” Uzodimma said.

Not done with engaging stakeholders for collective leadership, Governor Uzodimma also inaugurated the Imo State Elders Council.

In his inaugural address to the Elders Council, Governor Uzodimma charged them to “Scrutinise what we are doing …Raise alarm where necessary”.

The Governor went further to explain as follows, “The members of this great Body are people who because of their age, their social status in the society, professional accomplishments, are always prepared to say the truth as it is… “They are noble and dispassionate men and women, who has been sobered by experience – who can be trusted to always stand up for the truth no matter the consequences. Such frank views and opinions can always enrich government decisions, policies and actions”.

Even the budget process in Imo State is not left out in citizenship engagement and participation.

The adoption of Open/Participatory Budgetary  System,
has helped the government to achieve budget transparency through compliance with the State Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme of the World Bank.

Only recently, the State Government received millions of United States dollars in grant from the World Bank as a path in the back for applying global standards in her financial and resource allocations.

And you ask? What is democracy after all?  if not about the people in all ramifications.

Exactly what Governor Hope Uzodimma has instituted in Imo State.