Politics
2019: ‘91 Political Parties Unwieldy’
Political analysts have said that having 91 political parties in a developing country like Nigeria is unnecessary and awkward and abysmal.
They made the assertion while speaking with The Tide source yesterday in Lagos on political developments in the country.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on August 16, issued certificates to 23 newly registered political parties, raising the number of registered parties in Nigeria to 91.
The Commission in a statement issued by Mohammed Haruna, its National Commissioner and Member, Voter Education and Publicity Committee, in Abuja said that it was the last round of the registration of parties until after the general elections on February 16, 2019.
“This suspension is in line with Section 78 (1) of the Electoral Act, which requires all applications for registration as political party to be concluded latest six months to a general election.”
Earlier, Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had explained that the commission would continue to register any association that meet the legal requirements for registration as political party ahead of 2019 general elections.
“Once associations meet the legal requirements as political parties, the commission is under obligation to register them, but the law also provides for a period of six months to general elections.
He noted that as part of its duties, the commission would do what the law required of it, saying “if we don’t, they will go to the court and the court will order the commission to register them as political parties.
“But, we will not allow the commission to be dragged to court over a matter which we have responsibility under the law. So, we will continue to do the needful, “ he said.
A Professor of Political Science at the National Open University of Nigeria, Femi Otubanjo, said INEC was a victim rather than a villain in the act of registration of political parties.
According to Otubanjo, their hands are tied by the Constitution. They have no choice but to register parties that have met the prerequisites for registration.
“’Registering more parties is awkward and unnecessary, though, we can not rule out the fact that these minor parties that are registering can transform into major political parties.
“’But again, the ideological space does not allow for so many parties. People can always stick to two or three political parties.
“INEC is not the one creating this problem, the problem is already embedded in our constitution and I do not think any good will come out of reviewing the constitution in this regard,” he said.
Otubanjo said that INEC would have to produce an understandable documentation of ballot papers as well as embark on more voter education to manage the situation.
He said it would be cumbersome dealing with over 90 political parties.
“’What this means is that INEC has to do more work by producing a more acceptable and understandable documentation, particularly the voters’ list or ballot list for voting and have more materials on the day of election
“INEC will have to do more voter education, which is where the challenge is right now. They need to educate voters to know the different symbols of political parties.
“It will be more difficult work for INEC because it will not be easy to conduct an election with huge longish ballot paper in a largely illiterate country.
“That is the only was to manage this situation and make sure that people are able to vote adequately.
“The political parties have a greater responsibility to educate their supporters on their symbol so that they don’t lose votes due to the inadequacies of their supporters.
“They have to teach and enlighten their supporters how to identify your symbol and vote immediately, without spending so much time searching through the a long list of symbols.
“So, a lot of voter education is required when you have a longish ballot paper they need to be enlightened about what to do,” Otubanjo said.
Contributing, a Professor of Jurisprudence and International Law, Akin Oyebode said the registration of too many parties is abysmal and called for a review of the Electoral Act to de-register or exclude political parties that have little or no following.
“In other systems that we know of, you may put a minimum that a party should score in an election to continue to be relevant as a political party. May be five or two per cent.
“Now, it is an all-comers game and when or where is it going to stop? We have to review our electoral laws to exclude parties that have little or no following.
“Even in the U.S., it is not just the Democrats and the Republicans, there are what we call fringe parties.
“What we need to do in Nigeria, is to separate the wheat from the chaff. Let us know parties that have good followership, prescribe minimum or certain criterion for them for recognition.
“If you fail to get certain percentage of votes you lose your registration,” he said.
Also, the 2nd Vice-President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr Monday Ubani, said that having a longish ballot paper would create confusion for voters.
“As far as we know, the two major political parties that will make impact in 2019 general elections remain APC and PDP, all others are appendages.
“The political parties are too many. I think INEC has an agender for allowing such. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
“And the law requires that all the political parties be listed in the ballot paper, I still wonder how they will enlist all the 91 parties without creating confusion for the voters.
Ubani said that INEC wants to justify their huge budget by registering more parties.
“And now, that INEC is crying that it needs funds to conduct the election, it is now registering more parties so they will justify the huge budget they are demanding.
“These political parties and INEC need to do more to educate the masses to avoid confusion on the election day.
“The ballot paper will be too long and a voter will take so much time searching for the symbol of the party he or she wants to vote for. This can even cause another delay for voters on the queue,” Ubani said.
Also, another Professor of Political Science, Sunny Akpotor, said that opposition would be weakened due to the registration of too many parties by INEC.
Akpotor, who works in the Delta State University, Abraka, said that strong and proper opposition developed democracy and present options for citizen.
“When the parties are too many, opposition role will be weak and Nigerians may not be able to make a choice.
“In the U. S., only two major political parties are winning. In Nigeria, the parties are seen or heard of, only during electioneering. Thereafter, they disappear for nearly four years, until the next election period.
“A few big parties assume the role of opposition, so, for what purpose are we registering more parties?
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.