To ensure that democracy is implemented equally throughout Ado-Odo Otta Local Government, Ogun State, the African Foundation for Environment and Development (AFED), a non-governmental civil society organisation, has established a programme to submit community charters of demands to the federal and state lawmakers.

The non-governmental organisation made this disclosure in a statement by its convener, Mr. Adeshola Afariogun, who said that the accountability programme, which started on August 14 and would end on October 28, aims at encouraging citizens’ engagements to hold the government accountable for their political promises made during the elections.

Mr Afariogun went on to say that as part of their efforts, AFED has reached out to residents of Ado-Odo Otta Local Government to compile a list of their demands, which will be validated at a Town Hall meeting in September 2023 before being presented to federal lawmakers.

The AFED leader further emphasised that the accountability programme anticipates a thousand residents to attend the validation programme in person and online, showing that the engagements will not only highlight the issues but also discuss solutions with the lawmakers.

Additionally, he urged the citizens to keep approaching their elected officials to receive their democratic dividends. “Citizens are encouraged to be part of this process by completing an online form. Alternatively, they can approach their traditional leaders or community leaders for guidance on how to add their voice to the charter of demands”, he said.

Highlighting the order of the Citizens Charter of Demands programme, Mr Afariogun stated that the NGO has already deployed the online forms across all available platforms in the Local Government Public for enlightenment about the form and essence of Citizens Charter of Demands between August 14th and 27th, 2023.

He further clarified that the Collation of demands across the area will begin on August 28th, adding that the process will include the traditional institutions and community development Committees

The programme will also include demand aggregation and town hall meetings to validate citizens’ demands, which may be subject to amendment before being signed by residents between September 11th and October 3rd.

He emphasised that the citizens’ engagements will conclude with the presentation of the charter citizens’ demands to legislators between October 9th and 28th, 2023, and that a day will be set aside later to receive feedback from legislators.