Former ambassador to Chad, Abdullah Omaki, has said that most Nigerian political parties lacked functional, distinct ideologies to guide governance.

Mr Omaki stated this in an interview in Abuja on Sunday.

He said that political parties need to become “schools of public leadership” that utilise their manifestos to structure government policies.

According to him, elected officials are supposed to implement their party’s manifesto and deliver democratic dividends to citizens.

He noted that a politician’s achievements are usually attributed to the party because they are meant to act within its framework.

“Based on those achievements, people can assess the party and judge its performance in the next election,” he said.

Mr Omaki added, “Instead, supporters just sing the praises of individuals for what they did and didn’t do.

“For me, we have a very long way to go. If we continue like this, smaller countries in the subregion will soon stabilise and overtake us in governance and coordination.”

Mr Omaki contrasted the current system with the Second Republic, when party leadership was strong enough to compel elected officials to follow party decisions.

“Back then, as president or governor, you were subjected to the party’s dictates.

“Today, governors are called leaders of their state parties, and the president is called the party leader at the federal level. That is cumbersome. There is no separation of power,” said Mr Omaki.

Mr Omaki argued that introducing a clear separation of powers is necessary to restore discipline and balance in Nigeria’s political system.

(NAN)