The Kukah Centre (TKC), in collaboration with the European Union, achieved a historic milestone on December 5th, 2023, by publicly revealing the Needs Assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria. This significant report, delving into crucial aspects of party management and administration, such as funding, communication, membership profiles, internal processes, and ideology, was presented during an event in Abuja.
The occasion was part of The Kukah Centre’s Support to Political Parties project, a key component of the broader European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) program. Led by the esteemed Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi, the research aims to reshape the landscape of Nigerian politics.
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, in his opening remarks, emphasized the pivotal role of inspiring confidence in politics. He affirmed the Centre’s dedication to nurturing this confidence as a means to deliver public goods. Reflecting on the historical gaps in Nigerian politics, Bishop Kukah highlighted the urgent need to instill noble values in the political arena.
“At the Kukah Centre, we are poised to help create confidence in politics because we believe in the state as a vehicle for the delivery of public goods. Political Parties are the platforms on which politicians are weaned, trained, and deployed to serve the public good,” he stated.
Representing the Senate President, Hon. Godswill Akpabio, Senator Victor Umeh (Chairman, Senate Committee on diaspora and NGOs) addressed pressing challenges eroding public trust in political parties. He pinpointed accountability, inclusivity, and transparency as pivotal issues, advocating for enhanced transparency as the foundation for restoring trust.
A panel discussion ensued, featuring Hon. Sam Olumekun (INEC National Commissioner), Engr. Yabagi Sani (IPAC National Chairman), Ms. Ene Obi (Former Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room), and Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu (Professor of Political Science, University of Nsukka). The panel engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on ‘Developing and Sustaining a Political Culture of Integrity and Accountability,’ charting a course towards a more robust democratic framework.
Ms. Maupe Ogun-Yusuf guided the panel discourse, revealing insights into how INEC collaborates with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to prosecute electoral offenders. The discussion also emphasized the need to ensure adequate inclusivity in political parties and manage divergence between INEC and State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).
The crux of the matter lies in the hands of the electoral umpire, INEC, and political parties to foster a culture of integrity and accountability. The Kukah Centre firmly believes that the #NeedsAssessment represents a significant step towards fortifying internal democracy within political parties and, in turn, bolstering the foundations of democracy in Nigeria.
