“Political Culture of Tolerance means accepting and respecting the basic rights and civil liberties of persons and groups whose viewpoints differ from one’s own. All citizens, including political leaders, have a responsibility to practice political tolerance in their words and actions. As a clear rejection of “might makes right,” political tolerance is a key principle of democracy”.
Political Culture of Tolerance is a value orientation towards differences in political opinion and through acceptance, respect and appreciation of divergent views through balancing of ideas in a political transition.
In an ideal democracy where there is existence of political tolerance, members of the society treats each other, and be treated, as equals.
What this means is that political leaders accept the people’s opinion on certain issues affecting them and the people respecting the position of government on such issues by accommodating other interest groups and at the end appreciate the diversity in them through open political dialogue.
Democratic life in the administration of Governor Ugwuanyi( MR FULFILMENT) is both the right to differ as well as the acceptance of such difference by all.
Governor Ugwuanyi( MR FULFILMENT) enthroned political culture of tolerance in Enugu State and open political dialogue and dynamic exchanges of opinions and arguments, whereby people can learn from others, get closer to the truth, and benefit from a vital political public life is now the order of the day in the State. Developing a culture of tolerance was a journey the current administration undertook immediately after the assumption of office; removes the roots of political intolerance and enthroned open political dialogue in a democratic process.
Some of the key ingredients of political culture of tolerance Ugwuanyi administration enthroned are:
Political participation through Education: Governor Ugwuanyi has through conferences, seminars and retreats cultivated tolerance among citizens of Enugu State; evaluating his administration antecedent on political tolerance, one can observe that there is zero play of political animosity in the State and both the ruling party and opposition parties cohabit with ideas to foster more harmony and peace in the State. It was through this new culture that the governor opened his alms in welcoming oppositions of his government in the government house without discrimination. He never ceases to dine and wine with them because of his believe that opposition is the sweeter part of governance. The current administration had eliminated discrimination and hatred to opposition and those who are not happy with his government and it was on this basis that he welcomed Senator Ike Ekweremmadu and his political allies who came on a courtesy visit in the government house recently despite their political differences on zoning system in the State and through his actions and public speeches, promoted political dialogue for all. Today, the people of the State have more opportunities to practice and observe political tolerance as inculcated by Governor Ugwuanyi and appreciate the new political norm and the administration commitment to further political tolerance to the next level through human and infrastructural development in all the nook and cranny of the State as captured in 2021 budget of recovery and advance respect for others’ rights. He has stabilize the overall democratic tenets by involving citizens in the democratic process and upholding the civil liberties of all groups, freedom of expression etc. Through open dialogue and a diversity of political opinions, the current administration made it possible to reinforce a new model of culture of tolerance in the state.
Media: The media plays an important role in developing a culture of political tolerance under the current administration through people’s programmes despite some who are working with opposition in the state to truncate peace by creating falsehood in the administration of governor Ugwuanyi. The current administration allowed all the media houses in the state including the social media to operate without interference in their reportage. Despite that most of the media houses are used to attack his administration policies; Governor Ugwuanyi remain steadfast in delivery dividend of democracy in the state. He never call for demolition of any media house in the state even when some of their reports are clouded with falsehood. Even when his counterpacts from other states in Nigeria are clamping down media houses in their various States for reporting against their government; Governor Ugwuanyi tolerated all for the beauty of democracy in Enugu State.
The administration encourages a wide array of innovative ideas and beliefs among individuals, groups and institutions of governance builds an equitable and non-discriminatory environment that enhances peaceful political life in Enugu State. A support for Ugwuanyi is a support for the advancement of political culture of tolerance in the state.
Written by
Jude Chijioke Achu
MEDIA TEAM MEMBER OF ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
