Utomi’s Big Tent energises structure for grassroots penetration
By Jeffrey Agbo
Convener of the Big Tent, Prof. Pat Utomi, has directed Big Tent Coordinators in all the states of the federation to immediately create five-man polling booth councils in all the polling units in their state with a view to identifying premium local concerns and determining how to checkmate rigging at all elections.
In the statement, Prof Utomi also urged the new Polling Booth Councils (PBCs) to device bespoke citizen initiatives to lift up the quality of life of people at the grassroots through work with NGOs and to network with like-minded political parties and social movements to solve local problems.
The convener suggested that the network loops should look to link up with structures of the Labour Party, ADC and SDP among others to build people-centred initiatives for reform and good governance.
He said he had firm assurances from Senator Nenadi Usman of collaboration in pursuit of goals of good government.
Prof Utomi requested that each should turn into the Big Tent Shadow Cabinet Secretariat a local needs assessment report before September 21.
He urged all leaders of the PBCs to communicate the actions plans from the shadow cabinet retreat which are aimed at restoring people centered policy choices to our democracy.
He also requested that all PBCs commence voter education and citizen mobilization programmes tailored to local needs. He recalled that at the Big Tent shadow cabinet retreat guest speakers like Prof Jibo Ibrahim and Fr George Ehusani had called for citizen re-orientation and said the PBCs were the anchor institution for that important goal which he said was key to democracy revitalisation in Nigeria.
He said the PBCs should drive voter registration of young people whose future depends very much on election outcomes.
He also instructed that the PBCs actively recruit people of integrity in the community to run for public office.
Prof Utomi in the statement urged INEC to show due care for its troubled reputation which may cause people to lose interest in the elections process.
He considered disturbing the analysis of figures from on-going voter registration which seem at odds with demographic trends.
