Governor Kefas accountability call has placed the media, civil society groups, citizens and opposition parties at the centre of efforts to strengthen democratic accountability in Taraba State.
Governor Agbu Kefas made the call on Thursday in Jalingo while speaking to journalists as part of activities marking the 35th anniversary of the creation of Taraba State.
He urged citizens and institutions to question government decisions and closely monitor how public officials perform their duties.
Kefas said government officials should welcome scrutiny rather than resist it. He argued that accountability remains a vital part of a functioning democracy.
“Government should not fear scrutiny,” the governor said.
He also challenged journalists to ask difficult questions and investigate issues that affect the public.
According to him, civil society organisations also have a responsibility to monitor government activities and demand explanations from public officials.
Citizens, he added, should not remain passive. Instead, they should use democratic channels to question policies and decisions that affect their lives.
Kefas further called on opposition parties to perform their constitutional role by holding the government to account.
The governor’s Governor Kefas accountability call comes amid continuing debates about transparency, good governance and the role of public institutions in Nigeria’s democracy.
However, calls for accountability must go beyond public statements. Effective scrutiny requires access to information, independent journalism and institutions that can investigate allegations without political interference.
Similarly, civil society groups and citizens need meaningful channels through which they can raise concerns and demand answers.
The media also plays a crucial role. Through investigative reporting and sustained questioning, journalists can bring government actions into public view.
Meanwhile, opposition parties can strengthen democracy when they challenge policies with evidence and offer credible alternatives.
Kefas’ remarks therefore highlight a broader democratic principle: public office carries responsibility, and those who exercise state power must remain answerable to the people.
Ultimately, the Governor Kefas accountability call puts scrutiny at the heart of democratic governance in Taraba State.
