The Senate’s silence following backlash over its move to repeal the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) is an example of how to erode citizens’ trust in governance.
Development Diaries, in an earlier report, joined other stakeholders in calling for a review of the Act to strengthen its enforcement, rather than repealing it; however, the red chamber has been silent on the matter.
It is no longer news that the bill to repeal the VAPP Act has advanced to the second reading at the Senate and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, which is expected to report back within six weeks.
We expected that following the concerns raised by critical stakeholders, the aforementioned Senate committee would have addressed Nigerians on the concerns highlighted and what its next move would be.
Part of the duties of this committee includes advocating for the protection of human rights and ensuring that laws, regulations, and policies adhere to international human rights standards, while also addressing human rights violations and making recommendations on measures to protect citizens’ rights.
In a democracy, open dialogue between elected officials and the people is fundamental. By not addressing the concerns raised by citizens and advocacy groups, the Senate risks implying that it does not care about the people it represents, and this can lead to increased feelings of mistrust among the public.
When citizens believe that their voices are being ignored, it can result in growing disillusionment with governance and decreased participation in civic activities.
Also, this silence deepens the perception that government priorities are misaligned with the real needs of the population, especially vulnerable groups such as women and children, who depend on protective legislation like the VAPP Act.
The lack of communication from the Senate raises questions about their commitment to upholding human rights and safeguarding citizens from violence and abuse.
Ultimately, the Senate’s failure to address the controversy not only undermines its legitimacy but also threatens to widen the trust gap between Nigerian citizens and their leaders.
Trust is a cornerstone of effective governance, and without it, efforts to foster national unity and promote social cohesion may falter.
Development Diaries calls on the Chairman, Senate Committee On Judiciary Human Rights And Legal Matters, Mohammed Monguno, to address the concerns raised by citizens and advocacy groups regarding the move to repeal the VAPP Act.
Photo source: Senate
