Parties used to win elections, not for Nigeria’s development: SGF
Boss Mustapha, the secretary to the government of the federation, says politicians are using political parties only to win elections and not as a foundation to meet people’s needs.
Mr Mustapha stated this at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation 2022 Peace Conference entitled ‘Nation Building: The Role of Peaceful Elections in a Multi-Ethnic Context’ in Abuja.
He, therefore, called for restructuring political parties in Nigeria to change their focus to serving the people and entrenching democracy.
“I have seen how the political parties have been totally disregarded in terms of institutional strengthening, in terms of making the platforms not only for the purposes of canvassing votes but also for the purposes of initiating policies,” Mr Mustapha explained. “To also be guiding the political party that is in power to ensure that the promises they made to the electorate are fulfilled.”
He added, “Not the agenda of the occupant of the office, but the philosophy and the direction of growth that the party has set for itself are accomplished.”
The SGF further stated that it was pertinent to address parties’ formations and democratic ethics.
“If they are faulty in their nature, obviously, the conduct of the people that will occupy those offices will equally be faulty, and the desire of the people of Nigeria to see good governance will continue to elude us as people,” he further explained.
Mr Mustapha commended Mr Jonathan for constantly reminding Nigerians of the need to re-engineer the electoral process, stressing that this was not only for transparency, equity, fairness and credibility in elections, but what the elections produced.
The chairman of the National Peace Accord, Abdulsalami Abubakar, urged political actors and their supporters to avoid using sentiments that could jeopardise democracy when election campaigns start. He advised Nigerians to embrace issue-based campaigns centred on good governance and quality representation.
Mr Abubakar said the 2023 general elections represented Nigeria’s opportunity to consolidate its democratic successes.
(NAN)
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