Towards an Informed Citizenry: Senator Jarigbe’s Indaba Model BY OGAR EMMANUEL 

Sen Jarigbe Agom’s initiative to convene town hall meetings in all the Local Government Areas within the Cross River Northern Senatorial District underscores a pivotal step toward enhancing democratic engagement and responsive legislative governance. Such forums are instrumental in bridging the gap between elected officials and their constituents, thereby fostering a participatory political environment.

The significance and importance of these town hall meetings cannot be overemphasized. One key benefit is that they enhance transparency and accountability. They provide constituents with the latitude and platform to directly engage with their representatives. The relationship between the governed and their representatives is bound by the tenets of the social contract, which encompasses participatory governance and other democratic ideals. These forums create room for open dialogue, where constituents can offer suggestions and contribute meaningfully to national discourse.

This forthcoming town hall meeting, if I may suggest, should henceforth be made a regular occurrence. A recurring indaba—as the Nguni leaders of South Africa call their tribal conferences or town hall meetings—serves as a veritable reinforcement of democratic institutions. In the long run, it promotes civic participation. Beyond that, it offers a mechanism for continuous feedback, provides opportunities to clarify government policies, dispel misconceptions, and cultivate a more informed citizenry—essential ingredients for the evolution and strengthening of democratic practices.

In a nutshell, Senator Jarigbe Agom’s town hall meetings are a commendable effort toward inclusive governance. He deserves accolades for proposing such meetings in all five LGAs. In the past, such gatherings were often held only in Obudu or Ogoja—sometimes only in Ogoja. Constituents from Obanliku, Bekwarra, and Yala had to travel long distances to participate. Therefore, an indaba of this nature not only provides a platform for constituents to express their views but also enables the senator to make more informed decisions that resonate with the needs of the community. Such initiatives are fundamental to nurturing a vibrant and participatory democracy.

SUGGESTION: Interpreters should be provided, and people should be encouraged to express themselves in their local dialects. A position paper or communiqué should be produced from the indaba. Participants should eschew servile flattery— but bare their minds. Furthermore, a vote of confidence and endorsement for another term should be passed in his favour.

Comr. Ogar Emmanuel Oko
Writes from Calabar

Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Ogar Emmanuel Oko, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.