By Perpetua Onuegbu

A don, Prof. Samuel Egwu, has warned that 2027 general elections may weaken Nigeria’s electoral integrity unless Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) holds political parties accountable.

Egwu, of Department of Political Science, University of Jos, gave the warning at the Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa (CDD-West Africa) Annual Memorial Lecture in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that lecture was in honour of the founders of the centre, the late Dr Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem and Prof. Abubakar Momoh.

NAN also reports that Abdul-Raheem and Momoh who died on May 25,2009 and May 29, 2017 respectively, contributed to democracy, social justice and people-centred development across Africa through scholarship, activism and institution-building.

Speaking on the them: “From Promise to Paralysis: Political Parties and the challenges of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria”, Egwu called for renewed commitment to democracy, social justice and human rights in honour of late democracy advocates.

He noted that the honourees shared a commitment to advancing human dignity, democratic governance and social emancipation beyond political freedom.

According to him, democracy should improve citizens’ welfare rather than merely guaranteeing regular elections and political participation.

The don said Nigeria’s democratisation had drifted from its original promise of promoting political pluralism and competitive democratic governance.

He noted that elections had been conducted consistently since 1999, but tangible improvements in citizens’ living conditions remained largely absent.

Egwu further stated that democracy’s substantive benefits, including social and economic development, had failed to match the progress recorded in electoral processes.

He urged Nigerians to move beyond commemorating democracy heroes by actively defending democratic values and accountable governance.

The political scientist warned that failure to keep democracy on track could have serious consequences for national stability and development.

According to him, both ruling and opposition parties have displayed tendencies suggesting the 2027 elections may record declining electoral credibility.

“Time has come in the country for national institutions and the think tanks to take up the challenge of building a responsive and democratic political parties.

“I also believe that we need to approach party regulations in a very practical manner because it appears that INEC seems helpless in the face of impunity of political parties.

“All the parties have their procedures in terms of selecting their candidates, INEC also has electoral law or act that also says how this should be done.

“I think we need to get to a point where INEC should draw a major reform to hold parties accountable to their own rules,” Egwu said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director of CDD-West Africa, Dr Dauda Garuba, said Nigeria’s democracy had suffered repeated setbacks because political parties failed to perform their constitutional responsibilities effectively.

Garuba observed that political parties should serve as platforms for leadership recruitment, policy development and democratic accountability instead of merely seeking political power.

He lamented that many parties had become ideologically weak and lacked integrity, making democratic governance increasingly difficult.

Garuba expressed concern that several major political parties had yet to publish verified candidates’ lists despite the approaching elections, creating uncertainty among citizens and stakeholders.

On her part, the Co-founder/Chief Executive Officer, African Policy Research Institute, Prof. Nana Tanko, urged political parties to promote democracy, ideology and citizen trust.

“Democracy weakens when parties remain authoritarian and citizenship is reduced to voting without advancing equality, dignity and development.

“Nigeria’s political party crisis results from flawed choices, institutions and political culture. Democratic consolidation requires legal reforms, ethical parties, stronger civil society, ideological clarity and citizen-centred governance,” Tanko said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

PUO/WAS

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq