Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said on Monday that democracy does not just end in casting of votes but ensuring that those elected fulfill their promises and are accountable.
Oshiomhole said this in his address at the 11th Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
According to him, the job of the electorate is to follow up on their elected leaders and see how far they have gone on their promises as documented in their manifesto to the people.
Oshiomhole further stated that those elected must be accountable to the people at all levels.
He said Nigerian workers should always ask questions about the management of the country’s resources, stressing that they were not only workers but also citizens with right and duties.
He said: “The job of the electorate does not end by casting their votes but to follow up to what extent the leadership have delivered their manifesto.
“Democracy does not end in voting.
“The leaders elected must be accountable to the people.
“People must keep record of the activities of their leaders and ensure that promises made are fulfilled.
“That is true democracy.”
On the 2015 general elections, Oshiomhole said the electorate would wait patiently to cast their votes on the new dates of March 28 and April 11 as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Oshiomhole further appreciated the leadership of the NLC for piloting the affairs of the congress by sustaining unity and obeying the congress’s constitution of holding election every four years.
He said the challenges faced by the leadership of the NLC was more than the leadership of a state, adding the ability to resolve those challenges would make them outstanding.
Also speaking, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammadu Buhari, appreciated the leadership of the NLC for giving him the opportunity to address the congress.
Buhari said three major challenges facing the country must be tackled before Nigeria could achieve meaningful progress.
He said: “Let me say thank you to all of you for giving me the opportunity to address this year’s delegates’ congress of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“I want to also congratulate those that have travelled from near and far, braving bad roads, traffic jams and delayed airlines to be here for the congress.
“I know you made this journey for a good reason.
“You came here because you believe in what this country can be.
“That is to say, you all believe in change.”
Buhari criticised the devaluation of the naira and the rise in interest rate, saying that these policies would trigger an increase in the price of goods.
He urged Nigerians to vote for change so that the basic needs of workers ranging from security to power and employment would be resolved.
He said: “Nigeria is in crisis.
“Our country is facing grievous challenges in numerous sectors, in the light of recent events.
“The three most pertinent issues at this time are security, the state of the economy and corruption, which must be tackled all at once, before we can achieve any meaningful progress.”
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