Politics
PROF. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General, Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) on Friday, recommended a three party system in the country in a bid to deepen democracy.
Sulaiman made the recommendation at a news conference in Abuja ahead of the third convocation ceremony of the institute.
According to him, the multi party system, which the country was currently practicing, is becoming a problem for election management.
“Most of the political parties in Nigeria do not have sound footing and therefore were not adding value to the country’s democracy.
“For us to have a deepened political culture, the earlier we stick to two or three political parties, the better for us.
“Some parties today not even have offices at state level, yet they occupy space on the ballot papers and causing confusion,” he said.
He blamed the high rate of inconclusive elections, over voting and cancelation on the lengthy ballot which confused poorly educated electorates.
According to him, INEC should come out with a move to amend the Electoral Act to allow for only two or three political parties in the country.
The don said that it was not only power that was being abused in Nigeria but also freedom.
Sulaiman, also a former Minister of Planning said if care was not taken, Nigeria would have over 200 political parties in the next three years.
Responding on claims that the cost of practicing bicameral legislature was expensive for Nigeria, Sulaiman said that “every society adopts a system that suits its political environment.“
He noted that bicameral legislature was a reflection of the federal character of the Nigerian state.
Sulaiman said that it created more room for the people to be represented and to debate national issues as it affected them.
The director-general stated that the institute’s third convocation ceremony had been scheduled to hold on Monday, Oct. 28 at the National Assembly Complex.
According to him, the institute is in the process of introducing new courses and department as well as plans to move to its permanent site next year.
Sulaiman said that the institute was open to partnerships that would enhance the development of democracy in Nigeria. (NAN)
– Oct. 25, 2019 @ 15:12 GMT |
Tags: Don recommends three party system to deepen democracy in Nigeria
