• ‘There’s no alternative to civil rule
• INEC calls for internal democracy in parties

Soldiers cannot return to power because military rule is outdated, former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, said yesterday.

He noted that in the last 25 years, democratic rule has survived the onslaught of reactionary forces.

Gen. Abdulsalami said he was proud of laying a solid foundation by handing over power to civilian authorities.

Urging Nigerians and the political parties to nurture the tree of democracy, the former military leader said: “There is no alternative to civil rule.’’

Gen. Abdulsalami spoke at the launch of a book titled: “100 Years of Political Parties Evolution in Nigeria, 1923 – 2023’’ by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja.

The former head of state, who was represented by Gen. Abdulrasheed Aliyu, spoke on “100 years of political parties evolution in Nigeria – The imperative of Nigeria’s political stability: issues and solutions.”

Echoing Gen. Abdulsalami, who chaired the event, House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, said strong political parties and opposition were vital for good governance.

Also, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, urged political parties to promote internal democracy.

Gen. Abdulsalami said the fact that democracy has survived in the country for 25 years attested to Nigerians’ resilience and belief in representative governance.

He said: “Despite military interventions, democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.

“There is no substitute to the government of the people, by the people and for the people, which democracy represents as sovereignty resides with the people.

“This year will also make it 26 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria, the longest period of constitutional governance since 1st October 1960, when the country got Independence from the British colonial masters.

“I am happy that my government, as the then military Head of State, ushered in this era of democracy when I handed over power to the elected President on 29th May 1999.

“My government laid this solid foundation for democratic governance.

“It also shows that when leaders are patriotic, passionate, resolute and unwavering in building strong democratic structures and institutions, democracy could flourish and yield its dividends to citizens.”

Gen. Abdulsalami added: “We should, therefore, keep watering and nurturing the tree of democracy as there is no alternative to civil rule.

“Our democracy has been tested and shaken by reactionary forces and survived.

“It is a testament to citizen’s belief and resilience in representative governance.

“It has become expedient to explore political parties’ development priorities to consolidate the nation’s democracy and ensure an environment conducive to successful elections and political stability which is in tandem with the IPAC mandate.

“Since knowledge is power, I have no doubt that we will all be enriched with this book and deliberations on it and chart the way forward in our political process.”

Gen. Abdulsalami called for party supremacy, adherence to party manifestoes and the formation of a party based on ideology.

Speaker Abbas said Nigeria’s return to civil rule in 1999 marked a new beginning for the nation after over 30 years of military rule.

He urged politicians to stop weaponising ethnicity for political and personal gains.

Abbas, represented by House Majority Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, decried the hijack of parties by people with deep pockets.

He believes members should be made to pay dues and to own the party.

Abbas added: “Our parties today, to even give you a membership card, they turn it into trying to get a loan from the Nigerian bank. We need to review it.

“Political parties must serve as platforms for ideation, policy innovation, and citizen engagement, rather than tools for personal aggrandisement or factional dominance.

“The vibrancy of a democracy is measured not just by the strength of its ruling party, but also by the ability of its opposition to provide constructive criticism and alternative pathways for governance.

“Internal democracy within the political parties must play a role in ensuring the emergence of political representations.

“It is by so doing that we will eliminate imposition and godfatherism that have over the years characterised our political management.

“To consolidate our democracy is a duty of all democrats in Nigeria and we must take the bull by the horns. The time is now.”

Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim said besides the still-born constitutional conferences of 2006 and 2014, no other structured effort has been made in a decade to resolve the ever-lingering instability in the polity.

He said national instability has led to insecurity, economic regression and the heavy burden of maladministration.

Ayim added: “In any heterogenous or plural country of similar complexities as Nigeria, the need for national dialogue and minimum consensus on the terms of the union cannot be ignored or over-emphasised.

“It behoves this generation of leaders and elite to establish that dialogue, and reach that consensus that Nigeria sorely needs to rid herself and her component parts of the mutual suspicions, distrust and antagonisms that have retarded her growth into the stable nation and contending global power she has every potential to be.”

The Chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle, described the book as a beacon of knowledge and insight, highlighting the struggles and progress that had defined Nigeria’s political journey.

He said the document also served as a testament to the rich history, evolution and resilience of political parties in Nigeria.

Dantalle added: “It is a reflection of the trials and triumphs, the challenges and achievements that have shaped our political landscape over the past century.”

INEC: Parties should promote internal democracy

Prof. Yakubu described internal democracy as the foundation upon which a credible general election is built.

The INEC Chairman, represented by the National Commissioner in charge of political parties and election monitoring, Sam Olumekun, said effective leadership recruitment is possible only when eligible persons with capacity are selected through duly conducted party primaries to run for elections.

He said when political parties uphold democratic principles in their internal processes, it enhances public confidence in the electoral system and strengthens democratic governance.

Yakubu said: “Unfortunately, we have witnessed instances where lack of internal democracy has led to disputes, litigations, and disruptions in the electoral process.

“It is, therefore, imperative that political parties remain committed to transparent, fair, and credible primaries.

“As we move towards future elections, I urge all political parties to strengthen their internal governance mechanisms and ensure that their processes reflect the will of their members.

“A democratic society begins with democratic political parties.

“Political parties must invest in building strong and law-abiding institutions with distinct ideological leanings, rather than in installing behemoths.”

Yakubu called for a holistic electoral reform, saying: “No democracy is perfect; it is a continuous journey of reform and improvement.

“As an electoral management body, INEC is committed to ensuring that our electoral processes remain credible, transparent, and inclusive.”

He added: “However, certain areas of our electoral framework require urgent reforms to enhance the integrity of our elections and address emerging challenges.

“To this end, the Commission is already in consultation with the National Assembly Committee on Electoral Matters to organise a retreat where areas requiring urgent reforms will be deliberated upon.

“We recognise that electoral reforms are not the sole responsibility of INEC or the National Assembly.

“Political parties, civil society organisations and all well-meaning Nigerians must actively support and advocate for necessary legislative amendments that will strengthen our democracy and make it much more inclusive.

“I, therefore, challenge IPAC and all political actors here to champion these reforms, advocate for laws that enhance the credibility of our elections and work collectively towards an electoral system that is fair, just, and representative.”