API Tasks Leaders On Cohesion, Accountability For Better Service Delivery

In a bid to promote and strengthen social cohesion for national development, the Africa Polling Institute (API) has called for transparency and accountability among leaders in the interest of all citizens.

The Executive Director, Africa Polling Institute API, Prof. Bell Ihua who gave the advice at a forum on National Social Cohesion Dialogue in Abuja, said it was targeted at unveiling the 2025 Nigerian Social Cohesion Survey Report in creating awareness on the need to restore public trust and confidence for nation building.

“The API, has been conducting annual social cohesion survey since 2019 and the fourth round of survey released today has it that the citizens have low public trust and confidence in the present administration and that needs to be rebuilt”.

“And another data released also reviewed that citizens are united in shared struggles based on the present economic realities and that’s why we are charting a way forward towards addressing the challenges by bringing the Government closer to the people for social justice and civic participation”.

“So, the Government needs to know from the scientific data the exact challenges confronting Nigerians ranging from high cost of living, poverty and insecurity which is on the increase making up the data we gathered from the field, Prof. Bell added”.

Earlier, the former Governor of Rivers state and immediate past minister of transportation Rotimi Amaechi condemned the high level of economic challenges bedeviling the country and urged the present administration to wade into the matter in the interest of all citizens especially the less privileged.

“We are not up to 20,000 elites in leadership positions stealing our public funds as against 200m of Nigeria’s population that can fight this unpatriotic leaders, but all we do is sit in our comfort zones complain and grumble about the government.”

“What makes you feel they don’t know your feelings if not why driving in bullet-proof cars with water tight security. Nigeria is one of the docile societies i have ever seen as we are not ready to rise up to the challenges of standing up for our rights and say enough is enough like other countries.”

“I was once a Governor of my state and the moment i see robbery, kidnapping i do the needful immediately by ordering the payment of workers salaries and contractors so there can be money in circulation to arrest the situation.”

In a keynote address, Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr. Sam Amadi said the only way to improve public trust and confidence is to create a social compact between the leaders, state and citizens in line with chapter 2 of the constitution been a powerful framework of re-creating this country.

“Nigeria is a classic case in this situation because we borrow ideas and concepts but don’t care about its functionalities from even the people that imported them. So the first challenge is to rebuild public trust by saying what you mean and meaning what you say as a state, Sam added.”

Also speaking, a representative of the National Orientation Agency NOA, Mr Nuru Yusuf Kobi commended the API, for its consistent, evident based research and civic education to further strengthen democracy, governance and cohesion in the country and Africa.

“At NOA we recognize that social cohesion is not a luxury but, a national necessity that brings peace and a resilient society as the bedrock of sustaining development, democratic stability and inclusive governance.Through our nationwide grassroot mobilization across the 774 LGAs in Nigeria we have carried out sensitization and promotion of natural values, unity and peace. Kobi added.”

The high point of the event was the unveiling of the 2025 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey Report with the theme: “Rebuilding Citizens Trust and Public Confidence Towards Government and Pubic Institutions.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji