After the elections, what next?

Nigerians are understandably excited about 2011 being the election year. For the first time in 4 years, what we have to say actually has some value with those who ru(i)n this country as they come courting us for votes. While we fear that as usual the votes may not count, we are still a bit seduced by this tiny ember of influence time has handed us. BUT FRIENDS LET'S NOT BE FOOLED!!!

As someone said when America invaded Iraq in 2003, "they had a plan to win the war but did they have a plan to win the peace". Time has shown us they really didn't.

Same can be said for Nigeria in 2011. We have semblance of a plan (albeit disjointed) to get the right leaders elected in 2011. Professor Jega and his merry men are in charge of running the show now. While we don't doubt Jega's integrity, the recent voters registration and party primaries have cast shadows and raised doubts on their administrative abilities to conduct truly free and fair elections this year.

Civil society has also been activated. We are all told to RSVP in 2011 - Register to Vote, Select the right candidates, Vote on elections day and Protect our vote. All well and good... AND THEN WHAT!!!!

When May 29, 2011 comes and (barring the many expected lawsuits) the men and women we elect to represent us assume office, how do we make sure, like now, they don't get into office to represent themselves and their pockets only? How do we make Nigeria's democracy not a once every four years affair but something that happens everyday? How do we plan to win the war in April with a clear plan of how to win the peace after May 29?

Technology is playing a major role in our plans for RSVPing this elections. How can we most effectively leverage technology for the post May 29 battle?

That's the point of Tech-In Governance, a 48hr gathering of ideas, people and digital tools aimed at creating novel web & mobile to ensure average Nigerians can have their voices heard and listened to on an on-going basis by those they have elected to serve them.

The event, happening 1 week before the first elections, will be attended by people with a variety of skills and experiences who are passionate about increasing the participation of average citizens in governance in Nigeria. During the event they will contribute their knowledge and perspectives to develop 6 tools to be deployed ASAP- helping to flesh out the ideas and figuring out sustainability and marketing strategy.

We will also have a large number of governance experts on hand to use their understanding of the system to ensure the tools built are usable and address the problems from their core rather just acting as a placebo.

If you want to find out more about the event and how you can be involved visit http://tech-in.org/index.html

 

If you are on twitter, follow @techinseries and on facebook, like http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tech-In-Series/177017889007409?ref=ts

In the words of Sam Cooke, "It’s been a long time coming, but I know CHANGE IS GONNA COME"

Posted via email from Femi Longe's Zone