A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, says that no economic reform can succeed in Nigeria without transparency, accountability and responsible financial management.
During a recent media interview, in which he spoke on Nigeria’s current economic direction, Owokoniran noted that although various policy measures might have been introduced by the current government to stabilise the economy, Nigerians would continue to demand accountability on public funds, loans, and intervention programmes.
He stressed that the ADC had consistently advocated for governance rooted in integrity, openness, and citizen-focused expenditure.
Citing national audit findings and development reports, the revered ADC chieftain highlighted persistent challenges that weakened economic progress, including:
- Chronic revenue leakages identified repeatedly in the Auditor-General’s reports
- Budgeted funds not translating into completed projects
iii. Limited transparency in the management of foreign and domestic loans and
- Weak monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, preventing citizens from tracking programme results.
He further explained that these gaps in governance directly reduced the impact of economic reforms, undermining job creation, productivity, and investor confidence.
Moreover, he noted that corruption and waste were silent obstacles limiting Nigeria’s economic recovery.
Owokoniran submitted, “Until we replace the culture of impunity with a culture of accountability, transparency, and consequences for condemnable actions, even the best-designed policies will not deliver meaningful results.”
Hon. Owokoniran emphasized that the ADC’s governance philosophy was based on ethical leadership, transparent institutions, citizen participation, and effective oversight.
He emphasized that the stability and growth which the country sought could only be achieved when leaders prioritised the responsible use of public resources.
He therefore called for:
- Full activation and enforcement of open-government and open-treasury initiatives;
- Regular publication of audit results, loan utilisation reports, and budget performance updates;
- Stronger anti-corruption institutions with independence and adequate funding;
- Strict sanctions for financial mismanagement without political interference;
- Enhanced citizens and civil society involvement in budgeting and project monitoring.
Owokoniran said: “As the ADC has always championed, Nigeria’s progress must reflect responsible leadership, transparent governance, and measurable outcomes that improve the daily lives of our people.”
ADC’S HON. RAHMAN OWOKONIRAN
ADC MEDIA NETWORK 2.0
