Accountability is key to rebuilding public trust in governance, policy strategist Dr. Sam Amadi says, urging institutional reforms and civic engagement during a memorial lecture in Enugu.
Accountability remains a critical virtue for rebuilding public trust in governance, policy strategist Dr. Sam Amadi has said, urging political leaders to prioritise institutional reforms and transparency.
Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, made the assertion in Enugu while delivering a lecture at the 5th Memorial Event and 4th Annual Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Impact and Legacy Lecture Series.
The event, held at the Centre for Memories, was organised by the Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation in collaboration with CLEEN Foundation and the Centre for Memories.
The lecture, themed “Power, Accountability and the Crisis of Public Trust: Rebuilding Institutions that Serve the People,” examined Nigeria’s governance challenges and the widening trust deficit between citizens and public institutions.
Amadi stressed the need for renewed commitment to institutional reforms and active civic engagement, noting that accountability remains central to social progress and effective governance.
He described the late Innocent Chukwuma as a lifelong advocate for justice and accountability, whose work focused on ensuring that power is exercised in line with the law and for the public good.
According to him, the success of any society depends on how power is managed, who exercises it, how it is exercised, and for whose benefit.
Amadi expressed concern over Nigeria’s democratic process, arguing that elections alone do not guarantee true democracy. He cited voter suppression, electoral violence, and logistical challenges as factors undermining electoral credibility and eroding public confidence.
The policy expert also raised concerns about weak institutional capacity, particularly the inability to effectively prosecute electoral offences, which he said has fostered a culture of impunity.
He emphasised that democracy must go beyond periodic elections to include inclusiveness, responsiveness, and mechanisms for holding leaders accountable.
Amadi urged citizens, civil society groups, and technocrats to play active roles in demanding transparency and strengthening governance systems.
Other speakers, including Prof. Joy Ezeilo (SAN) and Ms. Ndidi Nwuneli, noted that poverty has been weaponised while the trust deficit continues to worsen.
According to Ezeilo, weak law implementation, abuse of power, and police brutality have contributed significantly to declining public trust in the country.
Nwuneli said genuine civil society organisations require a rebirth and adequate funding to change the narrative and hold both the private sector and government accountable.
Earlier, the Executive Director of ICCEF and widow of late Innocent Chukwuma, Josephine Chukwuma, said the annual lecture series was instituted in 2023 to honour her late husband’s legacy and contributions to democratic governance and human rights.
She noted that hosting the event in Enugu was significant, given Chukwuma’s roots and his role as a co-founder of the Centre for Memories.
Also speaking, Dr. Jude Ohanele of CLEEN Foundation described the lecture theme as timely, noting that Nigeria continues to grapple with a growing trust deficit between citizens and state institutions.
He expressed optimism that accountability and institutional reforms could restore public confidence if pursued with commitment and courage.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Centre for Memories, Mr. Iheanyi Igboko, described Chukwuma as a multifaceted leader whose contributions to human rights, justice, and social development remain impactful.
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