Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen said yesterday that the involvement of the people in governance is what strengthens democracy anywhere in the world.

Abbas, who spoke at the second edition of the ‘Citizens’ Roundtable with the leadership of the House of Representatives, said citizens must not only be heard but also involved in governance under democracy.

Represented by his Deputy, Benjamin Kalu, the Speaker said the House was committed to constantly engage with the public on issues of national importance, reaffirming that democracy is strongest when the people are not only heard, but fully involved.

He said: “We came together with a shared purpose—to listen to one another, to reflect on how far we have come, and to chart a more inclusive and responsive path forward.”

Speaker Abbas stated that he was truly encouraged by “the richness of the exchanges, the clarity of the perspectives offered, and the passion with which you have spoken about the future of our country.”

He added: “This event is not a conclusion. It is part of an ongoing process of building a parliament that works with the people and not just for them. As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I am more convinced than ever that the strength of our legislative work depends on the depth of our engagement with citizens.

“That is why we placed citizen participation at the heart of the Legislative Agenda of the Tenth House. That is why we have committed ourselves to regular platforms like this one—to listen, to learn, and to act.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said the engagement, which brought together the leadership of the House with the citizens, “underscores our resolve to continually engage with the people we are privileged to serve.”