As major stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gather in Abuja on the 27th of May for the long awaited National Executive Council (NEC), meeting, the party will be confronted with the challenges around how to resolve the lingering issues who occupies national Secretary position.
The PDP had over the years suffered because of the party’s inability to manage challenges of internal party democracy and the need for members to strictly observe the rule of law and obey its constitution.
Sections 221 to 229 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, spell out how political parties are to be organised, including the establishment, funding and management, based on agreed rules and norms spelt out in the political parties’ constitutions.
Specifically, Section 223 of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999, as amended, deals with the Constitution and rules of political parties
It stipulates that (1) The constitution and rules of a political party shall-
(a) provide for the periodical election on a democratic basis of the principal officers and members of the executive
committee or other governing body of the political party; and
(b) ensure that the members of the executive committee or other governing body of the political party reflect the
federal character of Nigeria.
(2) For the purposes of this section –
(a) the election of the officers or members of the executive committee of a political party shall be deemed to be periodical only if it is made at regular intervals not exceeding four years; and
(b) the members of the executive committee or other governing body of the political character of Nigeria only if the
members thereof belong to different states not being less in number than two-thirds of all the states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Dorcas Odigwe, a Political Scientist, in a recent study titled ‘Nigerian political parties and internal democracy,’ cited the absence of internal democracy amongst Nigeria political parties, as a negative phenomenon that has stunted the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
In her conclusions, she recommended that Political parties must embrace internal democracy and party discipline, as guide for viability and full development of the parties.
She also recommended that the Nigerian political parties should endeavour to observe internal democracy so as to give room for transparent party primaries, as this would reduce incidences of replacing candidates, thereby promoting an atmosphere for peaceful coexistence, equity and fairness.
According to her, “The problem of godfatherism should be drastically reduced to give room to the people to be able to choose the best to represent them as this would go a long way to strengthening the democratic process in the country. Finally, it was recommended that the parties should have strong political ideology as this would serve as a guide to parties’ objectives,” Okechwukwu Osuoha, the PDP’s Deputy Legal Adviser, while speaking with BDSunday, noted that the two main opposition parties, namely the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), are currently facing huge internal crises due to their failures to adhere to the provisions of their constitution
Osuoha, however, sounded a note of warning when he noted that “unless the party follows its constitution, in tackling the core issues of who occupies the office of the National Secretary, the ongoing crises may break the party.
“What I would urge is that we know that the constitution is mutable and subject to amendments, until that is done, we must strictly adhere to the current provisions as it relates to the office of the National Secretary.
“So, if there are areas, we do not feel comfortable with, we can amend them, but that can only be at the party’s national convention.
“What brings problem is that some members don’t like doing the right thing, especially as has been stipulated in the Constitution.”
Osuoha cited Section 1 of the party’s constitution which says “Every member must obey the constitution of the party, yet, we want to ignore the constitution for selfish purposes.
“I expect our people to be reasonable and act in accordance with the party’s constitution.
“The Supreme Court has ordered that the party should handle its matter in line with the party’s constitution. Section 33 provides how the party can remove members of the national executives.
“If you use somebody who is not the person authentically elected to that office, another person can go to court to quash whatever has been done, tomorrow.”
John Enemari, a political pundit, speaking on the ongoing crises in the PDP and other opposition parties, blames the problem on lack of internal democracy, absence of strong ideological pattern and the right political value system.
Enemari said: “We lack politician with the strong ideological patterns which should help to stabilise the polity, as we had in the days of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ibrahim Waziri, amongst others.”
Enemari called on politicians to take a cue from the likes of Aminu Kano, who promoted the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), as party for the “Talakawas.” Ibrahim Waziri’s Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP), with his “Politics without bitterness.”
“As you know, the late Obafemi Awolowo’s UPN was better managed while Nnamdi Azikiwe’s Nigerian Peoples Party NPP, Great Nigerian
People’s Party (GNPP), amongst others.
According to him, “Until we develop to a point where people can hold on to strong ideological position, we will continue to witness these crises and absence of internal democracy within the parties.”
The party is also expected to address the issue of Iliya Damagum, acting National Chairman of the party, as the North Central zone are insisting on reclaiming the position vacated by Iyorchia Ayu.
But Damagum has however, assured that the party would overcome its current challenges.
Speaking at the recent stakeholders meeting, Damagum said the meeting, which is a precursor to the non-elective national convention in August, 2025, will be used to heal wounds ahead of the August meeting.
