2023: INEC, IPAC Lament Poor Internal Democracy In Parties

KEY electoral stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) and the Inter Party Advisory Council ( IPAC) have condemned the glaring lack of internal democracy in political parties in Nigeria.

This is as they stressed the need for political parties to embrace inclusive politics in order to strengthen policy making and sustainable democracy in the country. The stakeholders spoke at a workshop on political parties reform organised by INEC’S Election and Party Monitoring Department in conjunction with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy ( WFD). Head, Department of EPM, INEC, Aminu Idris, regretted that most political parties do not carry their members along, which according to him, impedes accountability, citizens’ participation and growth. He said: “One of the biggest challenges affecting political parties is internal democracy whereby political parties don’t allow members to fully participate in their activities.

“If you run a party and you don’t allow members to participate then the political party cannot grow. Political parties need to play the role they ought to play which includes enhancing democracy to make it sustainable and to be seen as a tool of governance.”

Idris said the Commission would continue to ensure that parties adhere to their internal constitution, the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the country.