‘Political parties should exhibit discipline, promote good governance’

The European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) has stressed the need for political parties in Nigeria to be well organised, disciplined and capable to drive leadership recruitment, democracy and good governance.

Speaking at the opening of a three-day workshop on political party management and administration in Enugu, the centre’s Project Coordinator, Manji Wilson, said the charge followed the fact that political parties remained the constitutionally recognised platform for access to power.

He stated that the lack of discipline in any of them would always have negative impact on any administration it produces since they are the medium for seeking elective offices.

Wilson, therefore, challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work towards a sustainable party system, political ideology and party maturity in relation to political leadership recruitment and formation of governments in Nigeria.

He added: “With inter and intra party conflicts existing at various stages of the electoral cycle, attributed to various factors, including disputes from party primaries, political rivalry during contests for elective offices, weaponisation of fake news, disinformation, political propaganda and others, your role in political party monitoring becomes more critical and will go a long way to minimise and eliminate the heat arising from these challenges.

“We are now in the 2023 pre-electoral phase where the commission is planning and strategising for various activities in the electoral calendar, including engaging in wider consultations on polling unit expansion aimed at improved access and participation by the electorate. It is important that political parties, as vehicles for political mobilisation, are enlightened on how they can galvanise support and ensure speedy conclusion of the entire process.”

He commended the electoral umpire for creating more polling units ahead of the next general elections, adding that the move would not only broaden the political space, but also deepen participation.

The ECES official restated the support of his organisation to seamless electioneering in Nigeria and Africa.

He recalled that the body had over the years built capacity of staff in developing templates that assisted them in monitoring political parties, their activities and campaign/election expenses.