New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) says excessive focus on the nation’s two dominant political parties – PDP and APC- has defeated the essence of the multi-party system in Nigeria.

Boniface Aniebonam, pioneer national chairman and founder of NNPP, told journalists that resourceful people join the parties for their selfish interests while looking away from minor parties because they feel there is nothing to gain.

“When you x-ray what is happening in APC and PDP today, you begin to ask yourself why the influx of resourceful persons into just two political parties when there are 18 other parties into which they can spread out and test their popularity,” he said.

He reiterated that such politicians have killed the idea of having multiple political platforms whereby people could elect credible leaders.

“The government has never added value, nor has it supported the idea of f multi-party system. This is not good for political growth and the urgent need to open the space for competitiveness.

“The essence of multi-party system has been defeated; it is no longer adding value. We know there are advocates of two-party system, but the constitution does not provide for that,” he said.

He recalled that Ifeanyi Ubah contested on the platform of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in 2019 and won the Anambra South Senatorial seat.

Mr Aniebonam also recalled that INEC used to support political parties in the past, in its bid to strengthen democracy in the country.

“Unfortunately, owing to the greed of some party officials, that gesture was stopped,” he said.

Mr Aniebonam maintained that politics should be about ensuring a better life for the citizenry and adding values to the society.

He decried challenges facing Nigeria, ranging from disunity, insecurity and a weak economy, saying that God would not come from heaven to change the conditions.

“It is our leaders that will do that. We have to elect leaders that are passionate about creating a new Nigeria.

“We know what the problem is. We cannot succeed if we do not, voluntarily and deliberately, sit down to talk. The Oduduwa man will talk, Biafra man will talk, Niger-Delta people will talk, the Middle-Belt people will talk, the Arewa people will talk, and so on,” he said.

(NAN)