AC Backs Removal Of Political Parties’ Subvention

The Action Congress (AC) in Abuja has thrown its weight behind moves by the National Assembly to remove government grants to political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mr Sunny Moniedafe, Chairman, AC Abuja Chapter, said that the  decision would reduce the number of political parties from the present 57 parties and encourage the existence of strong and active ones for better opposition in the country.

Moniedafe told newsmen that proliferation of political parties had “collapsed strong opposition against the ruling party”.

He argued that the removal of the subvention would encourage merging of parties with similar interests and “those with weak administrative system that cannot stand the test of time will naturally phase out on their own”.

“Let this bring about five or six political parties that would stand the test of time toward strong opposition,” he added.

Moniedafe, however, expressed concern that the annual subvention to political parties was not regular, urging political parties to rather source for their funds.

He also condemned the zoning arrangement by the Peoples Democratic Party, saying that Nigria was a diverse nation with the people united either by religion or language.

He described the Government of National Unity (GNU) initiated by late President Yar’Adua as a failure.

He said that “other political parties that joined the campaign did so for selfish reasons, AC will not join the GNU campaign”.

Reacting to the issue of independent candidents requiring endorsements, Moniedafe faulted the arrangement, saying that the elites might hijack it to disrupt the electoral process.