Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Beni Lar, has challenged citizens in Plateau State to deepen their understanding of government and constitutional responsibilities, saying effective accountability requires more than criticism of public officials.
Lar spoke at the One Plateau Unity Forum Jos Summit and Award Night 2026, where she advocated a more informed form of citizen participation, urging the people to understand who is responsible for making policies, who implements them and where grievances should be directed.
She said citizens have every right to demand accountability from elected officials, but such demands should be based on facts and pursued through appropriate channels.
“Citizens’ participation is welcome, inclusion is welcome, accountability is welcome. But there is a method, there is a procedure and there is a legal way,” Lar said.
The former lawmaker cautioned against what she described as premature accusations and social media attacks, urging citizens to first establish the facts and engage the relevant ministries, departments and agencies.
She said a proper understanding of the responsibilities of the executive, legislature and judiciary would enable citizens to hold the right institutions accountable and avoid attributing every government action or failure to the wrong office.
Lar also linked effective governance to continuity, arguing that elected officials require sufficient time to understand their responsibilities and consolidate ongoing programmes.
“In governance, leadership, continuity is good for the people. An elected official can only meet the mandate for which that person is elected when there is continuity,” she said.
She noted that neither governors nor legislators could be expected to accomplish everything within four years, while frequent changes in the National Assembly could lead to the loss of institutional experience.
For Plateau, however, Lar said political and institutional reforms must go alongside efforts to strengthen social cohesion and economic opportunities.
She urged citizens to look beyond ethnic and religious differences and work towards what she described as an indivisible Plateau.
“We must work towards the one indivisible Plateau where we believe that Plateau is greater than anybody,” she said.
Lar also advocated increased attention to entrepreneurship and tourism as avenues for creating opportunities for young people and reducing idleness.
She said Plateau’s development would require citizens who understand their rights and responsibilities, leaders who can build on existing institutions and a society willing to work together despite differences.
“By the grace of God, we will love one another and be stronger together, irrespective of tribe, religion or ethnicity. We are all one Plateau,” she said.
