By Charles Nwankwo
It is worthy of note that any type of democracy whether it is parliamentary or presidential, is the election of those citizens by the citizenry to take the control of exercising power on behalf of the people. That is why it is an incontestable fact that the supremacy of any democratic arrangement rests with the people who may voluntarily entrust such power on the elected representatives of the people . Such an election to elect people’s representative must be free, credible and fair to which every eligible person is given equal opportunity to vote or to be voted for.
The 1979 constitution of Nigeria came on board after the collapse of the first republic, the Nigeria civil war and the quest for democratic reform in the post civil war era.
The constitution brought the civil democratic system of government back on the saddle in Nigeria. It replaced the parliamentary system of government inherited from colonialism with a presidential system of government.
In any case , this constitution and it’s consequent amendments in 1999 did not provide for independent candidature in Nigeria’s electioneering process. ( Independent candidate is a candidate who is seeking an elective political position on no political party’s platform).
Therefore, there is the need that independent candidature should be enshrined in the Nigeria constitution as this will drastically reduce the scramble for registration of political parties by individuals. Political party formation is an enormous task and cannot be in most cases handled properly by those seeking elective positions going by the requirements. Most of the already registered Political Parties do not have any office at the federal capital let alone the states . The promoters of these less viable parties may have opted to run as independent candidates, thereby reducing rancour, acrimony and fight for unwholesome supremacy among the political parties.
The first republic witnessed the multiparty system. The major parties were , National Council of Nigeria citizens (NCNC) Action Group(AG) and the Northern people’s Congress(NPC).
Politics was played mainly by regional parties. However, the smaller parties such as United Middle Belt Congress ( UMBC ), Bornu Youth Movement ( BYM) , Kano people’s Party (KPP), Mid- west Democratic Front (MDF) and Northern Elements progressive Union ( NEPU) existed,the big parties dominated the regional politics.
Sectional and ethnic politics were manifested. Little or no attempt made in the formation of political parties that were national in outlook. The implication was that politics of dichotomy , hatred , acrimony and rancour was encouraged and nurtured.
Presently, in Nigeria what is playing out towards the on coming 2027 elections is, that, for the opposition parties, the grand alliance is a major milestone in its bid to win the general elections. This move no doubt promotes unhealthy rivalry with the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) party.
This scenario has given steady rise on defections which is now most prevalent in our political architecture.
According to political analysts. “Lack of political ideology and vision in the formation of most political parties are responsible for the incessant cross carpeting. In strong democracies, political parties are like religion, politicians stick to their belief all through life”.
Most of the Nigerian political parties are built on individuals when they should be built on strong ideology and principles.
Unless our political parties and politicians are driven by visible, strong and convincing ideology, this window dressing and carpet crossing will continue.
CHIEF CHARLES NWANKWO is a former chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Imo state chapter.
