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Director General of the Progressives Governors Forum, Salihu Lukman, has expressed sadness that while progress is being made by the Independent National Electoral Commission in improving elections, the political parties have been on the decline.
Lukman said this in a paper titled, ‘Internal Democracy in Political Parties and Prospects for New Nigeria,’ made public in Abuja, on Sunday.
He explained that the recent passage of the Electoral Act amendment bill with a clause to allow for electronic transfer of results as well as direct primaries was a step in the right direction.
The PGF DG, however, said, “Although progress in being made to enhance the processes of election management in the country, management of political parties remained very backward.
“The practice across all Nigerian parties is that political leaders aspiring to contest elections for political offices recruit members.
“The aspiring political leader influence choices of party leaders based on estimation of loyalty.
“The loyalists who emerge as political leaders in turn become delegates during party primary for the selection of candidates for election, who then confirmed the aspiring political leader as the party’s candidate for election.
“Issues of membership participation and internal party democracy are compromised, professional management of political parties doesn’t exist, and disciplinary conduct of members and leaders are sacrificed.”
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