‘Why ruling parties must allow opposition to thrive’

NEWLY elected chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Enugu State, Mr. Afam Ani has stressed the need for political parties to evolve and provide assistance to each other as a way of enthroning lasting democracy in the country.

Speaking shortly after he was inaugurated after his election, Ani stated that the objectives, which brought individuals together to form a political platform, could be defeated when certain rules and regulations capable of making them inoperative are placed on their way.

He said it was wrong for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to insist that such party must maintain presence in all states of the federation or must have won a seat in an election for it to be recognised as a political party.

Ani was of the opinion that political parties would not easily collapse when they are encouraged to grow, especially with the support of other parties and the regulatory agency.

He said the IPAC in Enugu state would continue to protect and encourage the survival of political parties at all levels in the state, stressing that his first year in office was used to lay foundation for unity and cooperation among parties.

“We in political parties are one big family. We must join hands to protect our democracy and move it forward. That a party is in power and therefore belittles other political parties does not mean the party has arrived. If we are indeed practicing democracy, we must as a matter of fact tolerate the views of other political parties, we must encourage them to survive, we must protect them and it shouldn’t be a winner takes all- thing among others,” he said.

He was happy with the level of interest shown in the election that led to his emergence, stressing that when the council started last year, parties did not show much interest in its affairs.

“It means that we did well in our first tenure and we have raised the level of consciousness among our people that indeed we can be reckoned as truly a platform that has what it takes to advance the course of democracy. A year ago in this hall, you unanimously asked me to lead you and today, you have re-affirmed that belief and trust that you are happy with what we have done so far,” Ani said.

According to him, “Being in opposition is not a crime. But the opposition I encourage is constructive opposition that could help the party in power to deliver to the people and develop our society. It should not be the type that will make the party derail from her focus and incite the people against the leadership. Likewise, let the party in power not see opposition and criticism as something that should not be tolerated. We need each other to survive and to succeed as political parties and as a nation.

The IPAC chairman, who is also the State chairman of the Citizens Popular Party (CPP) garnered 14 votes to beat John Nwobodo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who secured 9 votes. 23 political parties represented by their Enugu State chairmen participated in the election held at the office of the INEC and conducted by Alhaji Alfa Mohammed, who is also the National Director of Publicity of the SDP.

Others elected are Osita Agu of the ACPN who emerged Secretary, Pastor Praise-God Ede of Fresh party emerged the Publicity Secretary, Sunday
Onyishi of the NNPP emerged the Treasurer and John Okafor of the AD became the Financial Secretary.

State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Ben Nwoye, who commended the process that brought the new leadership into office, said it was time to build from what had been achieved in the past.

He said: “It was expected and like I said I wanted to see the process.

The leadership of IPAC in Enugu has not represented the interest of political parties well. Nothing confirmed this than the last election when the leadership had already endorsed a political party before the election. Other who had opposed it couldn’t do anything about it; they were forced to dance to the song written for them by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“ The mandate has been renewed and for me, they should now look inwards and give the IPAC what it deserves. Without viable opposition, we cannot make progress and that is what I think the IPAC should endeavor to pursue. I support the idea that political parties need to be encouraged to evolve and that is also a challenge on the part of the IPAC to provide the leadership that could make this possible”.

Turning to his party, APC, Nwoye said that the members are not relenting in their bid to ensure the party maintains presence in the state through elections.

“Some political parties are relaxing after the elections, it is not so with the APC here. We are working and have continued to receive new members as well as continuing with our sensitization which we think is part of the membership drive”, he explained.

The Returning Officer in the election, Alhaji Mohammed charged the parties IPAC to work together and to protect the interest of one another to enable democracy thrive accordingly.

He however, tasked INEC to formulate policies that could help smaller parties grow, stressing that the outcome of the election had shown that big parties may not have their way all the times

Head of Department, Elections and Political Party, INEC Enugu, Ibe U Ibe, blamed the political parties’ especially smaller ones for whatever they may be passing through, stressing that majority of them
hardly attend meeting called by the commission.

He urged them to feel free to relate with the commission on any issue bothering them, assuring that the commission would as a matter of priority give such issue attention.