FOR Nigeria to actually attain full democracy for political parties in the country to present credible candidates in elections and reflect true choice of the Nigerian people, there is need for proper restructuring of political parties in the country.
This view was expressed by an ex-lawmaker, Prince George Oyewole Jolaoye, who represented Ayedire/Oal-Oluwa/Iwo federal constituency, Osun state, at the House of Representatives between 2003-2011, at the weekend while delivering a democracy lecture on “Political leadership in Nigeria.”
The event organised by the Nigerian Movement for Positive Change (NMPC), held at Alice Palace, Agodi street, Ibadan.
Jolaoye said there should be complete restructuring of Nigeria’s leadership recruitment process, noting that the restructuring must first take place within the political parties in the country.
He said “This restructuring must first take palace within the political parties in Nigeria. It is sad to say that most of our political parties lack proper political ideology. In the USA, and Britain, the foundation of their political parties are well cemented with- established and clearly articulated political ideologies which accentuate the complexion of politics played. In such places, politics is all about ideas.
“This is why a proper restructuring needs to be done in all our political parties. A quality assurance mechanism needs to be created to put an eagle eye and a biting teeth concerning the setting up and running of any political party in Nigeria to make sure they do not fall short of standards.
“There must be a process for proper democratisation of candidacy selection amongst political parties to reflect the true choice and voice of the people. This will spring up new leaders that are truly representative, responsive and responsible to the masses. Leaders who can do for their people much more than what their people can do for them. Leaders who must love their subjects, and not just a few of their subjects. Leaders who truly ‘belong to nobody, but belonging to everybody’, leaders we can trust and believe.”
Another speaker, Senator Gbenga Babalola charged voters to take their destiny in their hands and exhibit courage to elect political leaders they can vouch for.
Babalola said “No elective person will make Nigeria great, except the voters. Nigerians should wake up and demand accountability from their leaders.”
The chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of NMPC, General Adekunle Martins (retd) charged political office holders to embark on policies and projects that will truly reflect the welfare of the masses.
He noted that NMPC decided to give Nigerians the opportunity to air their minds about their leaders across all the geo-political zones of the country in order to sensitise them ahead of influencing positive political change in Nigeria.
General Martins then called on the electorates to exhibit confidence, speak out and come out to elect political leaders of their choice. He added that Nigerians should put a stop to situations where their political representatives were selected without their contribution.
His charged threw the venue of the event into frenzy mood which eventually spurred higher number of participants who came out to ask series of questions on the occasion.
Earlier in his address, the President of NMPC, Barrister Niyi Aborisade assured the participants who came Oyo, Lagos and Ogun states that they have just contributed to promoting progressive idea that would change the face of democracy in the country.
His words, “By attending the NMPC programme, you’re promoting a progressive idea to set Nigeria on the real path to development. It is true we are in cuvil rule, but we are not yet in a full democracy.
“NMPC, I want to assure you is not being sponsored by any politician, and we will never collect money from them. Our concern is to help mobilise, prepare ground for qualified people to come out and vie for political offices for the betterment of this great country.”
