The Kukah Centre made a public presentation of the Needs Assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria, on Tuesday 5th December 2023. The report which covers various aspects of party management and administration including Funding, communication, membership profile, internal party processes, and Ideology, amongst others, was a research work of the centre with Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi as the lead researcher.
His Lordship, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, in his opening remark, highlighted the significance of such an endeavour, saying the gathering causes all to think about politics in a way that helps to inspire confidence in politics.
“We at the Kukah Centre are poised to help create confidence in politics because we believe in the state as a vehicle for delivery of public goods.” The Senate President, Hon. Godswill Akpabio, ably represented by the Chairman, senate committee on diaspora and NGOs, Senator Victor Umeh, remarked on some of the challenges in Political parties that have caused a decrease in public trust for these important democratic institutions. He mentioned lack of accountability, inclusivity, and transparency as key issues faced in the political parties. He recommended that enhancing transparency within political parties is essential for trust building.
The Panelists – Hon. Sam Olumekun (INEC National Commissioner), Engr. Yabagi Sani (IPAC Chairman), Ms Ene Obi (Fmr Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room), and Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu (Professor of Pol. Science, University of Nsukka) – discussed on Developing and Sustaining a Political Culture of Integrity and Accountability. Ms. Maupe Ogun-Yusuf, succinctly steered the conversation which touched on how INEC prosecutes electoral offenders in partnership with the Nigeria Bar Association, ensuring inclusivity in Political Parties, and managing the divergence between INEC and State
Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).
Developing a culture of integrity and accountability lies with the electoral umpire, INEC, and political parties. We, at the Kukah Centre, believe that the #NeedsAssessment is a great first step towards enhancing internal democracy within political parties and strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
