‘How to improve Nigeria’s weak political system’

National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), yesterday, lamented the failure of some political parties to align with the activities of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), saying the trend weakens the country’s political system.

Director-General of the institute, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, made this known during a two-day retreat on ‘Strategic Leadership For Effective Inter-party Engagement’ held in Lagos.

He said it is the prerogative of all registered political parties, irrespective of their status, whether as the ruling party or in opposition, to be part of IPAC, which serves as unifier.

On his part, Warisu Alli, a professor at the University of Jos, noted that longstanding socioeconomic inequalities and injustice in the polity could be traced to the failures of political parties and the elite. He added that it was imperative that political parties make good use of capacity building ideas.

Chairman, National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Oyenusi Tanko, regretted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not fully independent.

According to him, “They have to source money from the Federal Government and the Federal Government decides when to give them. Except, of course, now that the new electoral act has mandated that they have to be provided money, one year before the election. But the question is, has the money been released?”