Kukah Center Calls For Strengthening Of Political Parties In Nigeria
By Tanimu Hassan, Abuja
The Kukah Center in collaboration with the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) has held a high-level meeting with the executives of political parties and other stakeholders in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The meeting held to enhance pluralism, internal democracy, and equality of opportunity in political parties had many party executives in attendance.
To achieve this, the Kukah Center carried out a needs assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria which was publicly presented on 5th December 2023 after the general election.
The assessment sought to understand the challenges faced by political parties, elucidate emerging issues in their operations, and identify the opportunities to address them.
In a report presentation by Mr Manji Wilson titled ‘Political Party Management Toolkit’ that explains the challenges faced by political parties and how to strengthen internal democracy in Nigeria, a plenary session was chaired by Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah as the moderator of the event in the comparative conversation on the most appropriate ways to systematically address the identified gaps.
The Executive Director, Development Spacs Academy, Professor Okey Ikechukwu noted the lack of proper national development of political leaders, corruption, and cost of governance as among the major factors weakening Nigeria’s political party system.
While reacting to the current situation of governance in Nigeria, a Professor at the department of Political Science University of Jos North Central Nigeria, Prof. Ogoh Alubo, noted with concern the lack of accountability of political leaders which needs to be addressed at the party level.
The Chairman Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle called on lawmakers to review the cost of governance and political office holders’ remuneration for the betterment of the economy.
The All Progressive Congress Chairman Alhaji Umar Ganduje lamented that Nigeria lacks strong institutions that would promote Nigeria’s political system which has given room to corruption of politicians.
Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah who was the moderator of the event revealed that the event aims to highlight and explore the thematic priorities of party management and operations and obtain the commitment of party leaders on party-specific needs in each of the thematic priorities discussed.
The event had in attendance many political party leaders across the country who gathered to address the many burning issues bedeviling Nigeria’s political parties and create confidence if the Nigerian masses in democracy.
Emmanuel Ukoh
