Segun Showunmi
Robust and institutionalized political parties, rather than individual leaders, constitute the cornerstone of a stable democracy. This policy advocates for amendments to Nigeria’s electoral and party governance framework to fortify political parties, deter opportunistic defections, and deepen ideological accountability.
While the Constitution and pertinent legislative frameworks serve as the foundational legal documents governing the nation, ensuring justice, equity, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights for all citizens, societal advancement nonetheless implies evolving democratic values and emerging challenges that necessitate periodic reviews and reforms of constitutional provisions to ensure their sustained relevance, efficacy, and responsiveness to the collective good of the populace.
It thus necessitates extensive consultations, deliberations, and incisive analyses to identify areas critically in need of refinement to enhance governance, maximize accountability, safeguard civil liberties, and promote inclusive development.
The proposed policy seeks to address gaps, ambiguities, and antiquated provisions while reinforcing democratic principles, the rule of law, and the separation of powers.
Moreover, these proposed policies are propelled by the collective will of the populace, as articulated through public discourse, stakeholder engagements, and legislative scrutiny, ensuring that the proposed reforms align with the aspirations of a modern and progressive society.
In acknowledgment of the necessity to adapt our legal framework to contemporary realities while preserving the core values enshrined in the Constitution, the following amendments are hereby proposed for consideration and enactment:
1. Amendment to Section 65(2)(b)
Substitute the existing paragraph (b) with a new paragraph (b) to read:
“(b) He is a member of a political party for the last four years and is sponsored by that party, except where a party is defunct and he joins another or where the party is newly formed”
2. Amendment to Section 106(d)
Substitute the existing paragraph (d) with a new paragraph (d) to read:
“(d) He is a member of a political party for the last four years and is sponsored by that party, except where a party is defunct and he joins another or where the party is newly formed”
3. Amendment to Section 131(c)
Substitute the existing paragraph (c) with a new paragraph (c) to read:
“(c) He is a member of a political party for the last four years and is sponsored by that party, except where a party is defunct and he joins another or where the party is newly formed”
4. Amendment to Section 177(c)
Substitute the existing paragraph (c) with a new paragraph (c) to read:
“(c) He is a member of a political party for the last four years and is sponsored by that party, except where a party is defunct and he joins another or where the party is newly formed”
These proposed amendment are designed to ensure that candidates vying for legislative and executive offices are rigorously vetted by their political parties in alignment with a system where parties, not “strongmen,”drive national development. It will ensure the:
fortification of fundamental rights, broadening protections against discrimination and fostering greater participation in an increasingly evolving democracy.
It will also enhance the Institutional Accountability, reshaping judicial, electoral, and oversight mechanisms to reinforce transparency and public trust in governance.
Furthermore, the proposed amendmentt suggestion will amplify local governance structures to encourage equitable resource distribution and participatory decision-making.
The promotion of economic and social justice, incorporating provisions that guarantee equitable access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities and
recognition of the right to a clean and sustainable environment as a constitutional imperative will be achieved.
These proposed amendments are presented with a solemn commitment to uphold the sovereignty of the people, the integrity of the nation, and the enduring principles of democracy, justice, and progress for generations to come.
Let this endeavor reflect the collective resolve to construct a more just, inclusive, and resilient society under the rule of law.
• Institutionalize Party Supremacy;
Replace personality-driven politics with party-based governance, ensuring candidates are accountable to their parties’ ideologies and manifestos.
The importance of these proposed amendmentts are meant to eradicate Cross-Carpeting;
Mandate a four-year party membership and sponsorship requirement for eligibility, thereby discouraging defections for personal gain.
It will promote Internal democracy;
Strengthen party structures to ensure transparent candidate selection and ideological coherence.
It will also enhance Electoral Credibility;
Diminish electoral volatility by ensuring candidates have long-term commitments to their parties among others.
This justifies the prevention of political tourists and ensures candidates are ideologically driven and aligned with their respective parties.
All parties must adopt constitutions delineating their ideological pillars.
Candidate nomination processes, which include consensus, direct, or indirect primaries, should be entirely transparent and devoid of imposition.
In terms of funding and accountability, parties must disclose sources of funding and undergo annual audits to mitigate godfatherism.
Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) should engage in Civic Education and Enforcement as a way of
oversight; by verifying party membership duration via centralized biometric registers and
enforce penalties for non-compliance.
Under stable party systems, this policy will significantly reduce factionalism and promote coherent policy implementation while elected officials will remain answerable to party manifestos rather than personal.
While self-serving interests will reduce electoral violence, fewer defections will minimize post-election litigation, curb unnecessary violence, and increase stability in the political landscape.
At the end of the day, voters will find it easier to align with parties based on policies rather than patronage.
In view of these aformentioned, a 12-year review must be adopted so as to assess policy impact on democracy.
Conclusively,
the emphasis on party institutionalization will facilitate Nigeria’s transition from a “strongman”democracy to one anchored in robust, ideologically rooted parties. These policy frameworks will effectively curb the destabilizing effects of cross-carpeting, foster policy continuity, and align Nigeria with global best practices in party-driven democracies.
This policy document will also aspire to create an enduring legacy as it balances legal precision with strategic vision, ensuring Nigeria’s democracy’s resilient against the whims of individuals and firmly rooted in enduring institutional structures.
